Contents

Disclaimer

Oxford University Press makes no representation, express or implied, that the drug dosages in this book are correct. Readers must therefore always check the product information and clinical procedures with the most up to date published product information and data sheets provided by the manufacturers and the most recent codes of conduct and safety regulations. The authors and the publishers do not accept responsibility or legal liability for any errors in the text or for the misuse or misapplication of material in this work. Except where otherwise stated, drug dosages and recommendations are for the non-pregnant adult who is not breastfeeding.

Show Summary Details
Page of

Biological aspects of suicidal behaviour 

Biological aspects of suicidal behaviour
Chapter:
Biological aspects of suicidal behaviour
Author(s):

J. John Mann

and Dianne Currier

DOI:
10.1093/med/9780199696758.003.0123
Page of

PRINTED FROM OXFORD MEDICINE ONLINE (www.oxfordmedicine.com). © Oxford University Press, 2021. All Rights Reserved. Under the terms of the licence agreement, an individual user may print out a PDF of a single chapter of a title in Oxford Medicine Online for personal use (for details see Privacy Policy and Legal Notice).

date: 30 November 2021

To understand the biological underpinnings of multi-determined behaviours such as suicide and attempted suicide it is necessary to situate them within an explanatory model that can elaborate the causal pathways and interrelations between biological, clinical, genetic, and environmental factors that all play a role in suicidal behaviour. Where possible, such a model should be clinically explanatory, incorporate biological correlates, be testable in both clinical and biological studies, and have some utility in identifying high-risk individuals. We have proposed a stress–diathesis model of suicidal behaviour wherein exposure to a stressor precipitates a suicidal act in those with the diathesis, or propensity, for suicidal behaviour. Stressors are generally state-dependent factors such as an episode of major depression or adverse life event. The diathesis, we have hypothesized, comprises trait characteristics such as impulsive aggression, and pessimism. Uncovering the biological mechanisms relevant to the stress and the diathesis dimensions of suicidal behaviour will facilitate the identification of both enduring and proximal markers of risk, as well as potential targets for treatment. One biological correlate of the diathesis for suicidal behaviour appears to be low serotonergic activity. Abnormal serotonergic function may be the result of numerous factors including genetics, early life experience, chronic medical illness, alcoholism or substance use disorder, many of which have been correlated with increased risk for suicidal behaviour. Moreover, serotonergic dysfunction may underlie recurrent mood disorders or behavioural traits that characterize the diathesis, such as aggression and impulsivity. In terms of stress response, the noradrenergic and HPA axis have been the focus of biological studies in suicidal behaviour. This chapter gives an overview of the major neurobiological findings in suicide and attempted suicide, as well as emerging findings from studies of genes related to those systems.

Access to the complete content on Oxford Medicine Online requires a subscription or purchase. Public users are able to search the site and view the abstracts for each book and chapter without a subscription.

Please subscribe or login to access full text content.

If you have purchased a print title that contains an access token, please see the token for information about how to register your code.

For questions on access or troubleshooting, please check our FAQs, and if you can't find the answer there, please contact us.