Defining suicidality phenotypes for genetic studies: perspectives of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium Suicide Working Group

• DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/24ue7_v1
• Publication Date: 2025-04-17T16:20:39Z
• Authors: Sarah Mary Carlto...; Eric Monson; Ole A. Andreassen; Olatunde Ayinde; Peter Barr; Cosmin Bejan; Zuriel Ceja; Hilary Coon; Emily DiBlasi; Howard J. Edenberg; Joel Gelernter; Alexander Hatoum; Anastasia Izotova; Emma C. Johnson; Erin Kaufman; Henry Kranzler; Maria Koromina; Kelli Lehto; Woojae Myung; John Nurnberger; Alessandro Serretti; Jordan Smoller; Murray B. Stein; Clement Zai; Annette Erlangsen; Marie Gaine; Lourdes Martorell; Reeteka Sud; Claudio Toma; Suicide Working G...; Tim Bigdeli; Nathan Kimbrel; Douglas Ruderfer; Anna Docherty; J. John Mann; Niamh Mullins
• Keywords: Psychiatric genetics

Suicidality phenotypes, consisting of suicidal ideation (SI), suicide attempt (SA), and death (SD), are all heritable but present unique challenges in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) due to their individual complexity, overlap with each other related self-harm varying associations psychiatric disorders. GWAS have uncovered several loci associated suicidality phenotypes by meta-analyzing data from multiple cohorts. However, combining datasets many research groups, where group may use different study designs, phenotyping instruments, definitions presents challenges. Heterogeneity resulting these differences can limit genetic discovery; harmonizing phenotype ensure consistency will greatly improve results. Here, we describe a standardized protocol that draws on the expertise subgroup clinicians, researchers, experts Psychiatric Genomics Consortium Suicide Working Group propose consensus for SI, SA, SD studies.