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Endogenous cannabinoid levels and suicidality in combat veterans.
Leo Sher1, Linda M Bierer1, Janine Flory1
1James J. Peters Veterans' Administration Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
Psychiatry Research
|August 4, 2019
Summary
Combat veterans with a history of suicide attempts show distinct psychological and biological markers compared to those without attempts. These differences, involving stress-related neurochemicals, suggest a neurobiological basis for suicidal behavior in veterans.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Veterans' Health
Background:
- Combat veterans face heightened suicide risks.
- Understanding psychological and biological factors differentiating attempters is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To differentiate combat veterans with post-deployment suicide attempts from non-attempters using psychological and biological variables.
- To investigate the role of endogenous cannabinoids and cortisol in veteran suicide.
Main Methods:
- Assessed demographic and clinical data, including Scale for Suicidal Ideation (SSI).
- Measured blood levels of anandamide (AEA), 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), and cortisol.
- Compared psychological and biological markers between suicide attempters and non-attempters.
Main Results:
- Suicide attempters exhibited higher SSI scores than non-attempters.
- Elevated 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) levels were observed in suicide attempters (controlling for gender).
- Distinct correlations between AEA, 2-AG, cortisol, and SSI scores were found in attempters versus non-attempters.
Conclusions:
- Psychological and biological differences exist between combat veterans with and without a history of suicide attempts.
- Findings suggest a potential neurobiological underpinnin g for observed clinical differences in veteran suicide behavior.
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