Neuroinflammation in suicide: Toward a comprehensive model.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Suicidal behavior (SB) is recognized with specific biological vulnerabilities.
• Emerging research suggests the immune system's involvement in the pathogenesis of SB.
• Understanding these immune factors is crucial for advancing SB research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and present key immune factors implicated in the pathogenesis of suicidal behavior.
• To synthesize current findings on the link between inflammation and SB.
• To highlight potential avenues for future research and therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.
• Search strategy combined terms: "Inflammation" AND ("Suicidal ideation" OR "Suicidal attempt" OR "suicide").

Main Results:

• Post-mortem studies reveal associations between suicide and inflammatory cytokines in the orbitofrontal cortex.
• Microgliosis and monocyte-macrophage activation may serve as neurobiological markers for suicide.
• Inflammatory markers correlate with suicidal vulnerability, serotonin dysfunction, impulsivity, and childhood trauma.
• Stress responses, including inflammation, are activated by the perception of threat in suicidal individuals.

Conclusions:

• Translational research is essential to identify specific biomarkers for SB disorders.
• Investigating clinical correlations and the interaction between inflammatory cytokines and monoamine systems in SB is critical.
• Future research may yield novel biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for SB.