Genetics of suicidal thoughts, attempts, and deaths
Establishing the Suicide Working Group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium to elucidate the genetics and biology of suicide outcomes
This project looks for genetic differences linked to suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, and suicide deaths to help people affected by these issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238091 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's view, researchers will combine DNA and health information from clinics, population studies, and medical examiner records around the world to study suicidal thoughts, attempts, and deaths. They will run large genome-wide scans using data from hundreds of thousands of people (about 206,900 with suicidal ideation, 69,800 with attempts, and 19,500 suicide deaths). The team will compare genetic patterns across these outcomes and with other psychiatric conditions, including people of diverse ancestries. Findings will be used to point to biological pathways and possible targets that could inform better prediction, prevention, or treatments in the future.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants include people with a history of suicidal thoughts or attempts, families or registries linked to suicide deaths, or anyone able and willing to share genetic and medical data through a participating site.
Not a fit: People without suicidal thoughts or attempts who are unwilling to share genetic or health data, and those seeking immediate clinical care rather than research participation, are unlikely to gain direct benefit from joining this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal genetic risk markers and biological targets that help improve prediction, prevention, and treatment options for people at risk of suicide.
How similar studies have performed: Previous large genetic studies—mainly focused on suicide attempts—have begun to find genetic signals, but this broader, multi-outcome and diverse-ancestry effort is newer and aims to expand on that progress.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mullins, Niamh — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Mullins, Niamh
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.