Genetic polymorphisms in the SCN8A gene are associated with suicidal behavior in psychiatric disorders in the Chinese population

Abstract

Objectives. Suicidal behavior is a serious public health problem which is partly heritable. Identifying the genes and the neurobiologic pathways relevant to suicidal behavior is important for preventative strategies. One family-based study reported an association between sodium channel voltage gated type VIII alpha (SCN8A) and suicidal behavior. In the present study, we aimed to search for SCN8A polymorphisms conferring genetic susceptibility to suicide in the Chinese population. Methods. A total of 626 subjects was recruited for the study, including 297 suicide attempters and 329 non-attempters from Shanghai, China. We conducted a case-control association analysis of five SNPs (rs10506302, rs1601012, rs4762004, rs12581041, rs17126078) within the region of SCN8A gene. Results. we found that two genetic polymorphisms showed statistically significant differences between cases and controls (rs1601012, P=0.004; rs12581041, P=0.01). Moreover, no haplotypes were significantly associated with suicidal behavior in psychiatric disorders after the false discovery rate (FDR) correction. In the analysis of schizophrenia subgroup, three genetic polymorphisms showed statistically significant differences between cases and controls (rs10506302, P=0.024; rs1601012, P=0.004; rs12581041, P=0.004). Conclusions. Our findings suggest that the SCN8A gene may be involved in the susceptibility to suicidal behavior among psychiatric disorder patients in the Han Chinese population.

Key words::

• Association
• case–control analysis
• Han Chinese
• SCN8A
• suicidal behavior

Acknowledgements

We appreciate the contribution of the members participating in this study, as well as the psychiatrists who helped us in diagnosis. This work was supported by the 863 Program 2006AA02A407, the S973 Program (2010CB529600, 2007CB914703, and 2007CB947300), the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology Program (09DJ1400601, 07DZ22917), the National Nature Science Foundation of China 30700457, and the Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project (B205).

Statement of interest

None to declare.