Citation

Pedersen NL, Fiske A. Eur. Psychiatry 2010; 25(5): 264-267.

Affiliation

Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Box 281, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2009.12.008

PMID

20444580

Abstract

It has been well established that suicidal behavior is familial. Twin studies provide a unique opportunity to distinguish genetic effects from other familial influences. Consistent with findings from previous twin studies, including case series and selected samples, data from the population-based Swedish Twin Registry clearly demonstrate the importance of genetic influences on suicide. Twin studies of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts also implicate genetic influences, even when accounting for the effects of psychopathology. Future work is needed to evaluate the possibility of age and gender differences in heritability of suicide and nonfatal suicidal behavior.

Language: en