Prediction of Level of Serotonin 2A Receptor Binding by Serotonin Receptor 2A Genetic Variation in Postmortem Brain Samples From Subjects Who Did or Did Not Commit Suicide

OBJECTIVE: Postmortem studies have indicated that suicide victims have greater serotonin receptor 2A (5-HTR_2A) binding in prefrontal brain regions. However, there remains some controversy regarding the biological specificity of these findings. The authors hypothesized that the variance observed in brain 5-HTR_2A binding is genetically mediated, at least in part. METHOD: Postmortem data from 56 subjects who had committed suicide and 126 normal comparison subjects were studied; brain tissue was available from 11 subjects who committed suicide and 11 comparison subjects. Homogenate binding assays were carried out with [³H]ketanserin. Variation at the 5-HTR_2A gene (HTR2A) was investigated by means of two polymorphisms: T102C and A-1438G. RESULTS: 5-HTR_2A binding was greater in the prefrontal cortex of the subjects who committed suicide. In addition, the findings suggest that HTR2A variation significantly affects 5-HTR_2A binding. However, no interaction between suicidal behavior and this locus was observed. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm previous reports of greater 5-HTR_2A binding in subjects who committed suicide; they also provide preliminary evidence suggesting that the number of 5-HTR_2A receptors is genetically mediated.