The TRKB rs2289656 genetic polymorphism is associated with acute suicide attempts in depressed patients: A transversal case control study.

Introduction: Suicide Attempts (SA) are the main complications of Major Depressive Episodes (MDE) and are difficult to predict. Suicide is associated with the expression of Receptor Tyrosin-Kinase B (TRKB), the receptor of the Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) involved in MDE. However, the impact of its genetic polymorphisms as predictive factors of SA should be clarified. Our main aim is to assess the association of 8 TRKB genetic polymorphisms and SA in depressed patients.
Material and Methods: In 624 patients currently experiencing an MDE in the context of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) (METADAP study), we assessed the association between 8 TRKB genetic polymorphisms (rs1778933, rs1187352, rs2289658, rs2289657, rs2289656, rs3824519, rs56142442 and rs1439050) and acute (previous month) or past (older than one month) SA. Bonferroni corrections and multivariate analysis adjusted for age, sex, level of education, marital status, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score and previous MDE were used.
Results: The rs2289656 was associated with acute SA (CC = 28.5%, CT = 15.0% and TT = 11.5%, p = 0.0008). However, the other SNPs were not. Patients with the CC genotype had a higher rate of acute SA (28.5%) as compared to T carriers (14.6%) (adjusted OR = 2.2, CI95% [1.4; 3.5], p<0.0001).
Conclusion: The TRKB rs2289656 CC genotype is associated with a 2.2 fold higher risk of acute SA in depressed patients. If this result could be confirmed, this TRKB SNP may be assessed to contribute to the prediction of SA in depressed patients.
Competing Interests: Eric Deflesselle, Romain Colle, Laurent Rigal, Céline Verstuyft, Albane Vievard, Severine Martin, Emmanuelle Corruble have no conflict of interest to disclose. Denis Joseph David currently receives investigator-initiated research support from Lundbeck and served as a consultant in the areas of target identification, validation and new compound development to Lundbeck Inc., Roche and Servier. Laurent Becquemont was an investigator for Antisense Therapeutics, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Alexion, Actelion, Auris Medical, Gilead Sciences, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, MedDay Pharma, Novartis, PregLem SA, Ultragenix Pharmaceutical. He received consulting fees from Sanofi-Aventis, Pfizer, Kyowa Kirin and Servier, lecture fees from Genzyme, GlaxoSmithKline, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck Sharp and Dohme; a close family member works at Sanofi France. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials