Project Summary

Enrique Baca-Garcia, M.D. (Young Investigator 2001) of Hospital Ramon y Cajal, is testing the hypothesis that low levels of progesterone act to increase the risk of suicide in women with an abnormality of the GABA-A receptor gene.  Previous NARSAD-funded work by this investigator suggests that hormones interact with neurotransmitter receptor genes, and the gene for the neurotransmitter GABA may be especially relevant.  Using DNA samples that have already been drawn and stored in a large patient sample of suicide attempters, Dr. Baca-Garcia will test for genes that control several GABA receptors.  This work may ultimately lead to identification of a gene that increases vulnerability to suicide, and perhaps explain the increased frequency of suicide that occur during menses.

Program Area: OTHER\Suicide

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