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Gonda X, Dome P, Serafini G, Pompili M. How to save a life: From neurobiological underpinnings to psychopharmacotherapies in the prevention of suicide. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 244:108390. [PMID: 36940791 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
The impact of suicide on our societies, mental healthcare, and public health is beyond questionable. Every year approximately 700 000 lives are lost due to suicide around the world (WHO, 2021); more people die by suicide than by homicide and war. Although suicide is a key issue and reducing suicide mortality is a global imperative, suicide is a highly complex biopsychosocial phenomenon, and in spite of several suicidal models developed in recent years and a high number of suicide risk factors identified, we still have neither a sufficient understanding of underpinnings of suicide nor adequate management strategies to reduce its prevalence. The present paper first overviews the background of suicidal behavior including its epidemiology, prevalence, age and gender correlations and its association with neuropsychiatric disorders as well as its clinical assessment. Then we give an overview of the etiological background, including its biopsychosocial contexts, genetics and neurobiology. Based on the above, we then provide a critical overview of the currently available intervention options to manage and reduce risk of suicide, including psychotherapeutic modalities, traditional medication classes also providing an up-to-date overview on the antisuicidal effects of lithium, as well as novel molecules such as esketamine and emerging medications and further molecules in development. Finally we give a critical overview on our current knowledge on using neuromodulatory and biological therapies, such as ECT, rTMS, tDCS and other options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xenia Gonda
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; NAP3.0-SE Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, Hungarian Brain Research Program, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Peter Dome
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; National Institute of Mental Health, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gianluca Serafini
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maurizio Pompili
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Suicide Prevention Centre, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Exploring the role of serum lipid profile and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in violent suicide attempters: a cross sectional study. CNS Spectr 2022; 27:362-368. [PMID: 33298214 DOI: 10.1017/s1092852920002199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicidality is one of the most common complications of mental disorders, so that the identification of potential biomarkers may be relevant in clinical practice. To date, the role of serum lipids and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been explored albeit with conflicting results. To the best of our knowledge, no study has explored lipid levels concomitantly with NLR in relation to violent suicide attempts. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether serum lipid levels and NLR might be associated with the violent method of suicide attempts. METHODS The study group consisted of 163 inpatients who attempted suicide. Blood samples were collected at the beginning of hospitalization to measure total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), triglycerides, and NLR. Descriptive analyses of the total sample were performed. The included patients were divided into two groups according to violent/nonviolent method. Groups were compared in terms of lipid (MANCOVAs). RESULTS Plasma levels of total cholesterol (F = 5.66; P = .02), LDL (F = 4.94; P = .03), VLDL (F = 5.66; P = .02), and NLR (F = 8.17; P < .01) resulted to be significantly lower in patients that used a violent method compared to patients who attempted suicide with a nonviolent method. CONCLUSIONS Low cholesterol, LDL, and VLDL levels as well as low NLR value were associated with a violent method of suicide attempt in patients with mental disorders. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.
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Crossin R. Exploring the link between adolescent inhalant misuse and suicidal behaviour: a behavioural toxicology perspective. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2021; 88:107038. [PMID: 34678460 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2021.107038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Adolescent inhalant misuse has a known association with suicidal thoughts and behaviour. This association persists even after inhalant misuse has ceased. Previous studies have hypothesised that this association may derive from socioeconomic disadvantage or vulnerability, and potentially mediated by impulsivity. This association may also be due to the central nervous system depressant effects of inhalants. This review takes a behavioural toxicology perspective, focussed particularly on the serotonergic system and the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, as potential links between adolescent inhalant misuse and suicidal behaviour. The challenges of bridging the pre-clinical and clinical literature in this area are discussed, along with promising avenues for future research; ultimately aimed at reducing suicide risk in a vulnerable adolescent population group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose Crossin
- Department of Population Health, University of Otago (Christchurch), Christchurch 8140, New Zealand.
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Huang YH, Liu HC, Tsai FJ, Sun FJ, Huang KY, Chiu YC, Huang YH, Huang YP, Liu SI. Correlation of impulsivity with self-harm and suicidal attempt: a community study of adolescents in Taiwan. BMJ Open 2017; 7:e017949. [PMID: 29217724 PMCID: PMC5728252 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate differences and similarities in risk factors for deliberate self-harm (DSH) and suicidal attempt (SA), and the role of impulsivity among a group of community adolescents. SETTING This is a cross-sectional study conducted at high schools in Northern Taiwan. DATA AND PARTICIPANTS We recruited grade 1 students from 14 high schools. A total of 5879 participants (mean age 16.02 years, female adolescents: 57.7%) completed the online assessment. OUTCOME MEASURES Participants completed online questionnaires about sociodemographic data, suicidality, history of DSH and SA, depressed mood, self-esteem, social support, family discord, impulsivity (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Version 11 (BIS-11)) and the use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs. A subsample was interviewed about lifetime SA, and the results were compared with those from the online questionnaires. RESULTS In our sample, 25% of the students had lifetime DSH and 3.5% had lifetime SA. Two hundred and seventy-two students received face-to-face interviews. The concordance between the online questionnaires and interviews in terms of ascertaining cases of SA was moderate (concordance rate 82.76%; kappa value 0.59). Similar risk factors for DSH/SA among the whole sample included female gender, lower academic performance, depression, substance use (tobacco and alcohol) and low self-esteem. The BIS-11 score was correlated with DSH. Factor 3 score of the BIS-11 (novelty seeking) was correlated with DSH in both boys and girls, whereas factor 2 score (lack of self-control) was correlated with SA in boys. Social support was a protective factor against SA among the female adolescents. Gender modulated the association of impulsivity and DSH/SA. Associations between impulsivity and DSH and SA were particularly strong among boys. CONCLUSIONS Risk factors for DSH and SA were similar, but not identical. Early identification of those at risk and appropriate interventions may be helpful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hsin Huang
- Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Suicide Prevention Centre, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing, and Management, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ching Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Suicide Prevention Centre, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing, and Management, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Fang-Ju Tsai
- Department of Psychiatry, En Chu Kong Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Fang-Ju Sun
- MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing, and Management, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Yang Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Taiwan Adventist Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ching Chiu
- Department of Psychiatry, Cardinal Tien Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Hsun Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei City Psychiatric Center, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yo-Ping Huang
- Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shen-Ing Liu
- Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Suicide Prevention Centre, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing, and Management, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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