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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Study protocol

Study on genes of the serotonergic system and suicidal behavior: protocol for a case–control study in Mexican population

Authors: Carlos Alfonso Tovilla-Zárate, Thelma Beatriz González-Castro, Isela Juárez-Rojop, Sherezada Pool García, Martha Patricia Velázquez-Sánchez, Mario Villar-Soto, Alma Genis, Humberto Nicolini, María Lilia López-Narváez, María Antonia Jiménez-Santos

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

Suicidal behavior is a leading cause of injury and death worldwide. Several studies have provided a possible relationship between genetic factors and suicidal behavior. Also, these studies have shown evidence for altered serotonergic neural transmission in the pathogenesis of suicidal behavior. In addition, genes pertaining to the serotonergic system have been proposed as candidates to establish biological correlates between suicidal behavior and the serotonergic system. The most studied genes are SCL6A4, HTR2A, HTR2C, HTR1A, HTR1B, TPH-1, and TPH-2. To get a comprehensive understanding of the association with suicidal behavior we will conduct genotype assays studies in a Mexican population.

Methods/Design

We will conduct a case–control study. The population sample will comprise adolescent and adult patients admitted for attempted of suicide and diagnosed by a psychiatrist. A peripheral blood sample will be taken from all the subjects (cases and controls). Genomic DNA from the leukocytes blood sample will be extracted. The genotypes of interest are distributed in the following genes: SCL6A4, HTR2A, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR2C, TPH-2 and TPH-1. All the samples will be analyzed using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) end-point method. We will evaluate the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium. The chi-squared test or Fisher’s exact test will be used to compare genotype and allele frequencies between control and case groups. The Quanto 1.2 software will measure the sample size of the association. For all the association analyses the level of significance will be set at p = 0.05 and the confidence interval at 95%.

Discussion

Suicidal behavior has been increase in Mexico, principally in young population. Our study will demonstrate the association between serotoninergic genes and suicide behavior in Mexican population.
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Metadata
Title
Study on genes of the serotonergic system and suicidal behavior: protocol for a case–control study in Mexican population
Authors
Carlos Alfonso Tovilla-Zárate
Thelma Beatriz González-Castro
Isela Juárez-Rojop
Sherezada Pool García
Martha Patricia Velázquez-Sánchez
Mario Villar-Soto
Alma Genis
Humberto Nicolini
María Lilia López-Narváez
María Antonia Jiménez-Santos
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-14-29

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