Suicidal behaviour may be written in the genes, according to recently released peer-reviewed data from Canada's largest mental-health hospital.

The study, published online in the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, looked at 12 academic studies conducted worldwide, linking suicidal behaviour and the brainderived neurotrophic factor gene. Researchers at Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found that the studies supported a theory that those who suffer from a psychiatric disorder and have a feature in their BDNF gene called a 'methionine variant' have a higher risk of becoming suicidal than those who had a 'valiant variant' in this gene.

"There are many risk factors for suicide," said the paper's coauthor, Dr. Clement Zai.

"There can be environmental factors, early childhood trauma or recent life events, underlying psychiatric conditions or alcohol and substance use. But genetic risk factors are also important, too."

The BDNF gene is related to the development of the nervous system.

Those with a valiant variant typically have more rapid connections between neurons in their brains than those with a methionine variant, who tend to have more of a "slow and steady" connection between their synapses, said Dr. James Kennedy, director of the centre's neuroscience research department.

Source: Postmedia News