Cholesterol Metabolism and Suicidality in Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome Carriers
Aleksandra Lalovic, M.Sc., Louise Merkens, Ph.D., Laura Russell, M.D., Geneviève Arsenault-Lapierre, B.Sc., Malgorzata J.M. Nowaczyk, M.D., Forbes D. Porter, M.D., Ph.D., Robert D. Steiner, M.D., and Gustavo Turecki, M.D., Ph.D.
This paper can be accessed at: http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/161/11/2123
Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is a multiple congenital anomalies (MCA)/mental retardation (MR) syndrome caused by a defect in cholesterol synthesis whereby affected individuals have low cholesterol levels. Severely affected individuals have multiple congenital malformations and are often miscarried or stillborn or die in the first weeks of life. Dysmorphic facial features, microcephaly, second-toe and third-toe syndactyly, other malformations, and MR are typical. Mildly affected individuals may have only subtle dysmorphic features and learning and behavioral disabilities.
The study found that more suicide attempts were reported among Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome carriers than among the comparison subjects.
The study provided additional evidence supporting the relationship between low cholesterol and suicidal behavior.
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