Posted on Sep 29, 2022
Genetic research sheds new light on Veteran suicide risk - VA News
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When looking at the genes of 14,089 Veterans who reported a suicide attempt, several genetic ‘markers,’ or points in their genome, stood out to researchers that did not appear in the nearly 400,000 Veterans with no reports of suicide attempt in their medical records.
Many of these suspect genes were present in Veterans across different racial and ethnic backgrounds. But researchers also discovered genetic markers that seem to carry a higher risk of suicide attempts in some groups more than others. A few of these ancestry-specific genes were found in African-Americans, European-Americans, Asian-Americans and Hispanic-Americans.
Two other major risk factors (non genetic) were insomnia and low levels of oxytocin (natural "love" hormone)
Many of these suspect genes were present in Veterans across different racial and ethnic backgrounds. But researchers also discovered genetic markers that seem to carry a higher risk of suicide attempts in some groups more than others. A few of these ancestry-specific genes were found in African-Americans, European-Americans, Asian-Americans and Hispanic-Americans.
Two other major risk factors (non genetic) were insomnia and low levels of oxytocin (natural "love" hormone)
Genetic research sheds new light on Veteran suicide risk - VA News
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Wow! I don't know what else to say about this, Charlie...
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Lt Col Charlie Brown
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I tell clients that with few exceptions, genetics are not destiny. Genetics influence but don't decide; our environment and choices do. It's good to be aware of "tendencies" but remember no "gene" ever pulled a trigger.
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