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It's in the Blood

Amazingly, it seems that the activity of some genes changes when an individual is seriously considering taking his/her own life, and a new blood test based on that finding, along with a questionnaire, predicts the risk with a high level of accuracy. Because the number of suicides in the general population is low, the test wouldn't be effective there, but it could be useful for those already receiving psychiatric care. One of the identified genes indirectly affects the network of systems in the brain that has to do with impulse and negative thoughts. Another helps to regulate the brain's pH, which is linked to panic and anxiety attacks: https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22730354-000-suicidal-behaviour-predicted-by-blood-test-showing-gene-changes/

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