Suicide is a complex and frequently discussed human behavior. Suicide, which has many psychological, religious, economic, sociological, philosophical, and cultural aspects, can be defined as an attempt by a person that may result in his/her own death and an act of violence directed against him/herself. Each year, 800,000 people end their lives due to suicide, which is considered to be one of the most important public health problems worldwide. Psychosocial aspects of suicidal behavior have been examined in studies conducted to date. The neurobiology of suicidal behavior, on the other hand, has not been adequately elucidated, although it has been the focus of attention for researchers in recent years.
In family, twin, and adoption studies in particular, attention has been drawn to the relationship between genetic transmission, serotonergic system dysfunction, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity, stress system, lipid metabolism, noradrenergic hyperactivity, anomaly in glial cells and signaling error, and suicidal behavior. In addition, serious evidence has been obtained of differences in the cognitive functions of people who attempt suicide, and morphological changes, especially in the frontolimbic network, in brain neuroimaging studies.
Despite increasing evidence, there is currently no biomarker predicting suicide and suicidal behaviors. Genetic transmission is mentioned in suicidal behavior. Although suicide and mood disorders overlap clinically and it is known that psychiatric disorders increase the risk of suicide, the fact that some patients do not attempt suicide shows the importance of the existence of a structural predisposition or genetic tendency for suicidal behavior. This situation is independent of psychiatric disorders. Therefore, a better understanding of the neurobiology of suicidal behavior is required. There is a need for studies with large samples, where characteristics of suicidal behavior are discussed separately, confounding factors are excluded, and new neurobiological and neuroimaging techniques are applied. Evidence obtained will play an important role in determining risk factors for suicidal behavior and prevention of suicide, as well as regulation of treatment algorithms, and follow-up of treatment. In this way, ‘suicidal brain’ will be better understood.
This Research Topic aims to investigate the possible neurobiological causes and risk factors for suicidal behavior and to contribute to the research in this field, whilst emphasizing the importance of the neurobiology of suicidal behavior. We therefore welcome reviews and original research covering the following areas specifically in relation to the neurobiology of suicide:
• serotonergic system and neurobiology
• neuroendocrine stimulation studies
• dopaminergic system
• noradrenergic system
• GABAergic system
• hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenaline axis
• lipid metabolism
• Brain-Derived Growth Factor
• neuroimmune system (cytokines)
• the genetics of suicidal behavior
• brain imaging studies.
Suicide is a complex and frequently discussed human behavior. Suicide, which has many psychological, religious, economic, sociological, philosophical, and cultural aspects, can be defined as an attempt by a person that may result in his/her own death and an act of violence directed against him/herself. Each year, 800,000 people end their lives due to suicide, which is considered to be one of the most important public health problems worldwide. Psychosocial aspects of suicidal behavior have been examined in studies conducted to date. The neurobiology of suicidal behavior, on the other hand, has not been adequately elucidated, although it has been the focus of attention for researchers in recent years.
In family, twin, and adoption studies in particular, attention has been drawn to the relationship between genetic transmission, serotonergic system dysfunction, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity, stress system, lipid metabolism, noradrenergic hyperactivity, anomaly in glial cells and signaling error, and suicidal behavior. In addition, serious evidence has been obtained of differences in the cognitive functions of people who attempt suicide, and morphological changes, especially in the frontolimbic network, in brain neuroimaging studies.
Despite increasing evidence, there is currently no biomarker predicting suicide and suicidal behaviors. Genetic transmission is mentioned in suicidal behavior. Although suicide and mood disorders overlap clinically and it is known that psychiatric disorders increase the risk of suicide, the fact that some patients do not attempt suicide shows the importance of the existence of a structural predisposition or genetic tendency for suicidal behavior. This situation is independent of psychiatric disorders. Therefore, a better understanding of the neurobiology of suicidal behavior is required. There is a need for studies with large samples, where characteristics of suicidal behavior are discussed separately, confounding factors are excluded, and new neurobiological and neuroimaging techniques are applied. Evidence obtained will play an important role in determining risk factors for suicidal behavior and prevention of suicide, as well as regulation of treatment algorithms, and follow-up of treatment. In this way, ‘suicidal brain’ will be better understood.
This Research Topic aims to investigate the possible neurobiological causes and risk factors for suicidal behavior and to contribute to the research in this field, whilst emphasizing the importance of the neurobiology of suicidal behavior. We therefore welcome reviews and original research covering the following areas specifically in relation to the neurobiology of suicide:
• serotonergic system and neurobiology
• neuroendocrine stimulation studies
• dopaminergic system
• noradrenergic system
• GABAergic system
• hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenaline axis
• lipid metabolism
• Brain-Derived Growth Factor
• neuroimmune system (cytokines)
• the genetics of suicidal behavior
• brain imaging studies.
