Neurobiology of Suicidal Behaviour

Abstract

Suicide is a phenomenon that is a world health priority, with multidimensional clinical appearance and with complex biological, social and psychological risk factors. Recent studies have revealed the complexity underlying the neurobiological mechanisms of suicide. The association between genetic transmission, serotonergic system dysfunction, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenaline axis hyperactivity, stress system, lipid metabolism, noradrenergic hyperactivity, anomaly in glial cells and signaling failure and suicidal behavior has been highlighted in particular in family, twin and adoption studies. There are also considerable evidences of morphological changes in the brain neuroimaging studies, particularly in the frontolimbic nerve and differences in the cognitive functions of the suicide attempted cases. The identification of neurobiological risk factors for suicidal behavior will play an important role in the prevention of suicide, as well as the arrangement of treatment algorithms and follow-up of treatment. The aim of this review article is to evaluate the neurobiological reasons of suicidal behavior.

Keywords

• Biomarker
• suicidal behavior
• neurobiology