Genetic, Developmental and Personality Correlates of Self-Mutilation in Depressed Patients

Abstract

Objective: To examine whether the T allele of G protein β3 (GNβ3) is associated with self-mutilation in depressed patients. Method: A history of self-mutilation was systematically inquired about when recruiting depressed patients for a long-term treatment trial. Risk factors such as borderline personality disorder and childhood abuse experiences were systematically assessed, and patients were genotyped for polymorphisms of GNβ 3. Results: The T allele of GNβ 3, borderline personality disorder and childhood sexual abuse were all significantly associated with self-mutilation in depressed patients. These associations were significant in both univariate andmultivariate analyses, and as predicted were stronger in young depressed patients than in depressed patients of all ages. Conclusions: If the association between the T allele of GNβ 3and self-mutilation can be replicated, this may provide clues to understanding the neurobiology of self-mutilation.