Haplotype analysis of the TPH gene and association with suicidal behaviour in Russian males and females

Background Abnormalities in functioning of the central serotonergic system are believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of depressive illness and suicidal behaviour. Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) is a rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of serotonin, so the TPH gene (11p15.3-p14) is a good candidate for association studies with suicide. Several polymorphisms in the TPH gene have been studied for association with suicidal behaviour, but the results are inconclusive. The aim of the present study is to determine whether the TPH gene is a susceptibility factor for suicidal behaviour in males and females, separately.