J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2007 May;46(3):195-200.

Association of Diathesis and Biological Factors in Suicidal Behavior

• Lee BH
• Kim YK

Abstract

Suicide is a significant public health issue and a major cause of death throughout the world. There are significant evidences that the activity of 3 neurobiological systems has a role in the pathophysiology of suicidal behavior : a deficiency of serotonergic system, a hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and an excessive release of noradrenaline. These neurobiological abnormalities might correlate with the diathesis of suicide including pessimism and aggression. Dysfunction of the serotonergic system is thought to be associated with disturbances in the regulation of impulsivity and aggression, which may be traitdependent factor. Hyperactivity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis and excessive activity of the noradrenergic system appear to be involved in the response to stressful events, which may be state-dependent factor. In the future, more understanding several aspect of suicidal behavior and the neurobiology of suicide can help detect promising predictors of suicidal behavior and treatment interventions.

Keyword

Aggression; Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; Impulsivity; Noradrenaline; Serotonin; Suicide; Stress

MeSH Terms

Aggression
Axis, Cervical Vertebra
Biological Factors*
Cause of Death
Disease Susceptibility*
Impulsive Behavior
Life Change Events
Neurobiology
Norepinephrine
Public Health
Serotonin
Suicide
Biological Factors
Norepinephrine
Serotonin