A Groundbreaking Genetic Tool for Suicide Risk Detection

Introduction

Mental health conditions leading to suicide attempts or ideation pose some of the most complex challenges for healthcare providers, patients, and their families. Despite advancements in psychiatry and psychology, one of the key difficulties remains in accurately identifying individuals at risk for suicide before it escalates to a critical level. Traditional diagnostic methods rely heavily on self-reporting and clinical observation, which can be imprecise and subject to significant variability. Our patented DNA methylation and genotype-specific biomarker technology offers a novel and scientifically grounded solution for early detection and risk assessment.

The Need for Predictive Biomarkers in Suicide Risk

Currently, mental health professionals lack effective, objective tools to identify individuals at high risk for suicide. Standard screening methods often rely on subjective indicators, which can lead to missed warnings or false positives. Moreover, individuals at risk may underreport their feelings, making it even harder to intervene in time. What the healthcare industry needs is a reliable, scientifically validated method to detect biological changes that signal elevated suicide risk, allowing for more proactive treatment and prevention strategies.

Advanced Genetic Insights for Proactive Intervention

Our technology uses specific biomarkers associated with DNA methylation and genotype variations that are strongly correlated with suicide ideation and attempts. This genetic approach provides an objective, measurable method to assess an individual’s risk of suicide, offering a window into the biological underpinnings of this mental health crisis. By identifying epigenetic changes linked to mental health risk, healthcare providers can intervene earlier with more personalized treatment plans, potentially saving lives.

This biomarker technology can be incorporated into diagnostic tests that provide critical insights to psychiatrists, therapists, and general practitioners. It allows mental health professionals to identify at-risk individuals, even if they are not openly expressing suicidal thoughts. Furthermore, this tool can be integrated into mental health screening protocols in hospitals, clinics, and emergency rooms, giving clinicians a vital resource to assess and mitigate suicide risk.

Why This Biomarker Technology is Essential

Objective Risk Detection: Provides a measurable, genetic-based marker for suicide ideation and attempts, offering more accuracy than traditional screening methods.
Personalized Mental Health Care: Allows healthcare providers to tailor treatment plans based on genetic predispositions, ensuring early and targeted intervention.
Improved Outcomes: By identifying high-risk individuals sooner, this technology enables timely, life-saving interventions.
Broad Applications: This biomarker can be used in diverse clinical settings, from hospitals to outpatient clinics, aiding in both acute and long-term mental health care.

An Essential Tool for Mental Health Providers

Licensing this advanced genetic biomarker technology offers a transformative approach to suicide prevention, equipping healthcare providers with a predictive tool that bridges the gap between mental health care and cutting-edge biotechnology. It is a must-have for those committed to improving patient outcomes in the field of psychiatry and beyond.

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Abstract
Claims

The present invention relates to the field of biomarkers. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of biomarkers to predict suicide ideation and/or suicide attempt. In one embodiment, a method for predicting suicide ideation and/or attempt by a subject comprises the steps of (a) measuring the DNA methylation level of a CpG dinucleotide in the 3′ untranslated region of SKA2; (b) identifying the genotype at a SNP within the 3′ UTR of SKA2, and (c) predicting suicide ideation and/or attempt by the subject using a prediction algorithm.

We claim:

1. A method for predicting suicide attempt and/or suicide ideation by a subject comprising the steps of:

(a) measuring the DNA methylation level of a CpG located on the minus strand of chromosome 17, at position 57187729, from DNA isolated from a sample collected from the subject, wherein the DNA methylation level is measured using a primer comprising SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:5;

(b) detecting the genotype at the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs7208505, from DNA isolated from a sample collected from the subject; and

(c) using a linear model that utilizes the DNA methylation level, genotype at rs7208505, age and sex to predict suicide attempt and/or suicide ideation by the subject.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the linear model further utilizes a stress/anxiety metric.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the stress/anxiety metric comprises the results from a stress/anxiety questionnaire.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the stress/anxiety metric comprises salivary cortisol measurement from the subject.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the stress/anxiety metric comprises a biomarker of salivary cortisol measured from the subject.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the biomarker of salivary cortisol comprises CpG dinucleotide methylation at one or more of the following genes:

EXOC4, KRT6A, MUC1, CLEC18B, MST1P2, ROMO1, MAPK1IP1L, HCRTR1, EPS15, DCHS2, FABP7, HOXC11, SLC26A1, DEXI, AMTN, PNPT1, SLC9A3, NOD2, CDH4, PLA2G7, BCAS3, RBBP5, FAM167A, YKT6, ANKH, CDH22, DGKI, CACNA1H, LRTOMT, SCARF2, KLHL29, MAP4K5, ATL1, MAP4K5, SLC29A4, C14orf180, NOB1, MRAP2, ZNF496, ANGPT1, ABCC8, PTPRN2, GPC5, RNF115, ZDHHC11, PCDHA6, PCDHA2, PCDHA1, PCDHA7, PCDHA1, PCDHA6, PCDHA5, PCDHA9, PCDHA9, PCDHA3, PCDHA4, PCDHA8, GABBR1, SDK1, CAMTA1, SKI, RPS6KC1, GALNT9, SPAG6, HIST2H2BF, SPINT3, KIAA0664, TSNARE1, EPS8L2, PICALM, BCL2L10, HTR3C, CNGA3, DERL1, COL23A1, BACE1, SRPK2, RNF111, SPATA7, FAM189A1, TRIM55, ARMC9, MTHFD1L, and SLC8A2.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample is a blood, serum, or saliva sample.

8. A method for predicting suicide ideation and/or suicide attempt comprising the steps of:

(a) measuring DNA methylation level at a CpG dinucleotide located in the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of SKA2 from DNA isolated from a sample collected from the subject, wherein the DNA methylation level is measured a primer comprising SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:5;

(b) detecting the genotype at the SNP rs7208505, from DNA isolated from a sample collected from the subject; and

(c) using a linear model that incorporates the measured DNA methylation level and genotype to predict suicide attempt and/or suicide ideation.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the linear model further utilizes age and sex as additive covariates.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the linear model further utilizes a stress/anxiety metric.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the stress/anxiety metric comprises the results from a stress/anxiety questionnaire.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the stress/anxiety metric comprises salivary cortisol measured from the subject or a biomarker thereof.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the sample is a blood, serum, or saliva sample.

Title

DNA methylation and genotype specific biomarker of suicide attempt and/or suicide ideation

Inventor(s)

Zachary Kaminsky, Holly Wilcox

Assignee(s)

Johns Hopkins University

Patent #

10280464

Patent Date

May 7, 2019