The role of the 5‐HTTLPR polymorphism in acquired capability for suicide

Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, vol. 50, pp. 1121–1126

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: According to the Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide, capability for suicide comprises two dimensions: fearlessness about death and elevated pain tolerance. The short (S) allelic variant of the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) has repeatedly been associated with more violent and lethal suicide methods and lethality of suicide attempts. The current study aimed to investigate whether 5-HTTLPR allelic variants are associated with fearlessness about death and pain tolerance/persistence and whether it moderates the relationship between childhood maltreatment and acquired capability for suicide. METHOD: A cohort of 208 inpatients hospitalized due to a recent suicide attempt or severe suicidal ideation was genotyped for the 5-HTTLPR and assessed for childhood maltreatment. Subjective pain tolerance and fearlessness about death as well as objective pain persistence was assessed using a pressure algometer. RESULTS: Fearlessness about death, pain tolerance, and pain persistence did not differ between 5-HTTLPR genotypes. However, there was a significant correlation between self-reported childhood maltreatment and fearlessness about death that emerged exclusively in homozygous S-allele carriers. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that there are no "high-risk"-alleles that generally increase capability for suicide. However, in terms of future suicide-related behaviors exposure to childhood maltreatment events could exert a particularly negative influence on homozygous S-allele carriers by increasing their fearlessness about death.

Authors 10

1. André Wannemueller corresponding

   Ruhr University Bochum

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Psychology Mental Health Research and Treatment Center Ruhr‐Universität Bochum Bochum Germany

2. Thomas Forkmann

   University of Duisburg-Essen

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Clinical Psychology University of Duisburg‐Essen Duisburg Germany

   Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany

3. Heide Glaesmer

   Leipzig University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology University of Leipzig Leipzig Germany

   Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

4. Georg Juckel

   Ruhr University Bochum · LWL-Universitätsklinikum Bochum

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Psychiatry LWL‐University Hospital Ruhr‐Universität Bochum Bochum Germany

5. Laura Paashaus

   Ruhr University Bochum

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Psychology Mental Health Research and Treatment Center Ruhr‐Universität Bochum Bochum Germany

6. Dajana Rath Aachen Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology

   RWTH Aachen University · Universitätsklinikum Aachen

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology University Hospital of RWTH Aachen University Aachen Germany

   Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

7. Antje Schönfelder

   Leipzig University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology University of Leipzig Leipzig Germany

   Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

8. Dirk Moser

   Ruhr University Bochum

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Genetic Psychology Ruhr‐Universität Bochum Bochum Germany

9. Robert Kumsta

   Ruhr University Bochum

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Genetic Psychology Ruhr‐Universität Bochum Bochum Germany

10. Tobias Teismann

    Ruhr University Bochum

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Psychology Mental Health Research and Treatment Center Ruhr‐Universität Bochum Bochum Germany