With recent studies using genetic, epigenetic, and other molecular and neurochemical approaches, a new era has begun in understanding pathophysiology of suicide. Emerging evidence suggests that neurobiological factors are not only critical in providing potential risk factors but also provide a promising approach to develop more effective treatment and prevention strategies. The Neurobiological Basis of Suicide discusses the most recent findings in suicide neurobiology.
Psychological, psychosocial, and cultural factors are important in determining the risk factors for suicide; however, they offer weak prediction and can be of little clinical use. Interestingly, cognitive characteristics are different among depressed suicidal and depressed nonsuicidal subjects, and could be involved in the development of suicidal behavior.
The characterization of the neurobiological basis of suicide is in delineating the risk factors associated with suicide. The Neurobiological Basis of Suicide focuses on how and why these neurobiological factors are crucial in the pathogenic mechanisms of suicidal behavior and how these findings can be transformed into potential therapeutic applications.
Diagnosis, Traits, States, and Comorbidity in Suicide. Neuroanatomy of
Serotonergic Abnormalities in Suicide. Noradrenergic Dysfunction in
Depression and Suicide. Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Involvement in Depressive
Illness: Interactions with Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone and Serotonin.
Role of the Endocannabinoid System in the Neurobiology of Suicide.
StressDiathesis Model of Suicidal Behavior. Do Serum Cholesterol Values and
DST Results Comprise Independent Risk Factors for Suicide? Brain-Derived
Neurotrophic Factor in Suicide Pathophysiology. Neuroimaging: High Risk
States for Suicide. GeneEnvironment Interaction and Suicidal Behavior.
Genetic Factors and Suicidal Behavior. Approaches and Findings from Gene
Expression Profiling Studies of Suicide. Epigenetic Effects of Childhood
Adversity in the Brain and Suicide Risk. Genetics of Suicidal Behavior in
Children and Adolescents. Neurobiology of Teenage Suicide. Suicidal Behavior
in Pediatric Population: Neurobiology and the Missing Links in Assessing Risk
among Patients with Bipolar Disorder. Suicide in Late Life. Intermediate
Phenotypes in Suicidal Behavior: Focus on Personality. Toxoplasma gondii, the
Immune System, and Suicidal Behavior. Peripheral Biomarkers for Suicide.
Medication in Suicide Prevention: Insights from Neurobiology of Suicidal
Behavior.
Yogesh Dwivedi is with the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Illinois.
