J Korean Med Assoc.  2019 Feb;62(2):85-92. 10.5124/jkma.2019.62.2.85.

Neurobiological understanding of suicide

• Kim S
• Lee KU

• KMID: 2438368
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2019.62.2.85

Abstract

Suicide is a complex phenomenon resulting from interactions between individual vulnerabilities and socio-environmental factors. The current review primarily focuses on research into the serotonin system, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, neurotrophic factors, lipid metabolism, and functional neuroimaging studies. It has been found that dysfunctions in the serotonin system, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis abnormalities, and low brain-derived neurotrophic factor and cholesterol levels may be linked to suicide. Additionally, recent neuroimaging studies have suggested that structural and functional abnormalities in brain areas related to cognitive and emotional regulation may be associated with suicide. More research incorporating advanced methodological approaches may shed further light on the neurobiological basis of suicide.

Keyword

Suicide; Neurobiology; Serotonin; Pituitary-adrenal system; Neuroimaging

MeSH Terms

Brain
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Cholesterol
Functional Neuroimaging
Lipid Metabolism
Nerve Growth Factors
Neurobiology
Neuroimaging
Pituitary-Adrenal System
Serotonin
Suicide*
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Cholesterol
Nerve Growth Factors
Serotonin

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