Na PJ, De Angelis F, Nichter B, et al. - Considering the possibility that polygenic risk scores (PRS) could allow determination of etiology of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, researchers sought to evaluate the predictive value of a suicidality PRS [derived from a large genome-wide association study (GWAS) of suicidality from the UK Biobank (N = 122,935)] for suicidal ideation (SI) in a 7-year population-based, prospective cohort of European-American US veterans (N = 1,326).

• Over the study period, new-onset SI developed in 8.8% (n = 115) of veterans, chronic SI was reported in 4.0% (n = 52), remission of SI was observed in 3.4% (n = 31), and SI was not recorded in 83.8% (n = 1,128).

• A positive association of suicidality PRS_standardized was observed with chronic SI and new-onset SI, and it was negatively associated with remitted SI.

• Overall findings suggest a prospective link between suicidality PRS and symptomatic courses of SI, and indicate the moderating effects of dispositional optimism and social support on these associations.

• In veterans with high polygenic risk for suicidality, risk of SI may be mitigated by implementing interventions targeting these modifiable psychosocial factors.