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Molecular Changes Associated with Suicide
Daniela Navarro1,2,3, Marta Marín-Mayor4,5, Ani Gasparyan1,2,3
1Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain.
Abstract:
Suicide is a serious global public health problem, with a worrying recent increase in suicide rates in both adolescent and adult populations. However, it is essential to recognize that suicide is preventable. A myriad of factors contributes to an individual's vulnerability to suicide. These factors include various potential causes, from psychiatric disorders to genetic and epigenetic alterations. These changes can induce dysfunctions in crucial systems such as the serotonergic, cannabinoid, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axes. In addition, early life experiences of abuse can profoundly impact an individual's ability to cope with stress, ultimately leading to changes in the inflammatory system, which is a significant risk factor for suicidal behavior. Thus, it is clear that suicidal behavior may result from a confluence of multiple factors. This review examines the primary risk factors associated with suicidal behavior, including psychiatric disorders, early life adversities, and epigenetic modifications. Our goal is to elucidate the molecular changes at the genetic, epigenetic, and molecular levels in the brains of individuals who have taken their own lives and in the plasma and peripheral mononuclear cells of suicide attempters and how these changes may serve as predisposing factors for suicidal tendencies.
Insights
Suicide is preventable, influenced by psychiatric disorders, early life stress, and epigenetic changes. Understanding these molecular alterations is key to identifying predisposing factors for suicidal behavior.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Suicide presents a significant global public health challenge with rising rates.
- Suicidal behavior arises from a complex interplay of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors.
- Dysfunctions in systems like the serotonergic, cannabinoid, and HPA axes are implicated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review primary risk factors for suicidal behavior.
- To elucidate molecular changes in suicide victims and attempters.
- To explore how these changes predispose individuals to suicidal tendencies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on risk factors.
- Examination of genetic and epigenetic modifications.
- Analysis of molecular changes in brain, plasma, and peripheral cells.
Main Results:
- Multiple factors including psychiatric disorders, early life adversity, and epigenetic alterations contribute to suicide risk.
- Early life abuse impacts stress coping and inflammation, increasing suicide risk.
- Molecular changes in the brain and peripheral cells are associated with suicidal behavior.
Conclusions:
- Suicidal behavior is multifactorial, involving genetic, epigenetic, and environmental influences.
- Understanding molecular underpinnings is crucial for prevention strategies.
- Further research into these changes can identify individuals at risk.
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