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A Neural Basis for the Acquired Capability for Suicide.
Gopikrishna Deshpande1, Madhura Baxi2, Tracy Witte3
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, AU MRI Research Center, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA; Department of Psychology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA; Alabama Advanced Imaging Consortium, Auburn University and University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
|August 18, 2016
Summary
Men exhibit higher rates of fatal suicidal behavior (SB) due to acquired capability for suicide (ACS) neural networks. This study explored gender differences in brain networks linked to emotional stoicism, sensation-seeking, and fearlessness, revealing distinct male and female patterns.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Suicidology
Background:
- Fatal suicidal behavior (SB) disproportionately affects men, presenting a critical public health concern.
- The Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide explains this by proposing that acquired capability for suicide (ACS) is necessary for fatal attempts, alongside suicidal desire.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural substrates underlying gender differences in fatal SB.
- To identify distinct brain networks associated with ACS and depression in males and females.
Main Methods:
- Utilized activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis to map neural networks.
- Examined networks related to emotional stoicism, sensation-seeking, pain tolerance, fearlessness of death, and clinical depression.
- Used identified brain regions as seeds for functional and structural connectivity analyses.
Main Results:
- Male-specific networks were more widespread and diverse than female-specific networks.
- Male networks included motor regions (premotor cortex, cerebellum), while female networks were dominated by limbic regions.
- These findings suggest distinct neural pathways for fatal vs. non-fatal suicidal behavior in men and women.
Conclusions:
- The study proposes a novel model characterizing neural networks underlying gender differences in SB.
- Male neural networks may facilitate the transition from suicidal desire to decisive action, while female networks are linked to depression and ideation.
- Further research is needed to refine these networks using targeted tasks for ACS constructs.