Temporal effects on death by suicide: empirical evidence and possible molecular correlates

Abstract Popular culture and medical lore have long postulated a connection between full moon exacerbations of psychiatric disorders. We wanted to empirically analyze the hypothesis that suicides are increased during period around moons. analyzed pre-COVID from Marion County Coroner’s Office (n = 776), show deaths by suicide significantly week (p 0.037), with older individuals (age ≥ 55) showing stronger effect 0.019). also examined in our dataset which hour day (3–4 pm, p 0.035), month year (September, 0.09) most suicide. had blood samples on subset subjects 45), enabled us look at possible molecular mechanisms. tested list top biomarkers for suicidality 154) previous studies ours 7 , assess them predictive. The predictive death moon, peak day, year, respectively, compared outside those periods, appear be enriched circadian clock genes. For it is AHCYL2, ACSM3, AK2, RBM3. GSK3B, PRKCB. TBL1XR1 PRKCI. Half these genes modulated expression lithium valproate opposite direction suicidality, all depression alcohol same as suicidality. These data suggest there temporal effects possibly mediated biological clocks, pointing changes ambient light (timing intensity) therapeutically addressable target decrease can coupled pharmacological addiction treatment preventive interventions.