Researchers find genetic link tied to depression and suicide

People with a family history of depression and suicidal behavior may benefit the most from a prescription to buy Plavix, as a new study has shown that suicidal tendencies may stem in large part from an inheritable genetic alteration.

A team of researchers from the Center for Addiction and Mental Health in Canada showed that individuals with an alteration of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor were significantly more likely to become depressed and experience suicidal thoughts.

The findings indicate that children of parents who struggled with these types of mental issues may be more likely to suffer from them themselves. Additionally, the researchers said it may soon become possible to develop tests for the genetic alteration and potentially even treatments that block the action of the gene.

"In the future, if other researchers can replicate and extend our findings, then genetic testing may be possible to help identify people at increased risk for suicide," said lead researcher James Kennedy.

Still, he added that environmental factors also play a role in depression risk, indicating that a person's genes may be the sole determinant.