Effect of Genetic Alterations Affecting the Genes Encoding the Major Enzymes of the Kynurenine Pathway on Suicidal Behavior

Current research has shown that an imbalance in the Kynurenine pathway plays a role in the physiopathology of neurogenerative and mental disorders (with a decrease in neuroprotective metabolites and an increase in neurotoxic products). So far the research has concentrated on the enzymes IDO 1/2, KAT (1-4), KMO and ACMSD which are the key players in this pathway. Several polymorphisms affecting these enzymes have been associated with certain disorders characterized by a deregulation of the inflammation and immune response (McCauley et al 2009,Tardito et al 2013, Lee et al 2014), but the link between these enzymes and suicidal behavior is not yet clear. The investigators hypothesize that people with history of suicide attempt would have a genetic alterations of the kynurenine pathway specific for suicidal behavior.