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Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins
Published on: August 15, 2017
Suicidality and epilepsy: a neuropsychobiological perspective
Hrvoje Hecimovic1, Jay Salpekar, Andres M Kanner
1Zagreb Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia.
Epilepsy & Behavior : E&B
|May 31, 2011
Summary
People with epilepsy face higher suicide risks due to complex factors. This review explores shared neurobiological mechanisms, including neurotransmitter and HPA axis disturbances, linking epilepsy and suicidality.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Epileptology
Background:
- Individuals with epilepsy (PWE) exhibit elevated risks of suicidal ideation, behavior, and completion compared to the general population.
- The link between epilepsy and suicidality is intricate, influenced by epilepsy-related factors, psychiatric history, and iatrogenic effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the common neurobiological pathogenic mechanisms underlying both epilepsy and suicidality.
- To elucidate the shared pathways contributing to the increased suicide risk in people with epilepsy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating neurobiological links between epilepsy and suicidality.
- Analysis of research on neurotransmitter systems and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) in both conditions.
Main Results:
- A bidirectional relationship suggests shared neurobiological underpinnings.
- Disturbances in key neurotransmitters like serotonin (5HT), norepinephrine (NE), glutamate (GTE), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are implicated.
- Dysregulation of the HPAA is identified as a common pathogenic mechanism.
Conclusions:
- Common neurobiological mechanisms, including neurotransmitter imbalances and HPAA dysfunction, contribute to the co-occurrence of epilepsy and suicidality.
- Understanding these shared pathways is crucial for developing targeted interventions for PWE at risk of suicide.
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