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Neurobiology of Suicide

  • Chapter
Molecular Biology of Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Part of the book series: Nucleic Acids and Molecular Biology ((NUCLEIC,volume 23))

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Abstract

The concept that neurobiological systems and mechanisms are contributing to the complex trait of suicidal behaviour has stimulated much work by several direct and indirect methods, as post-mortem analyses, studies in body fluids and blood platelets, or imaging techniques.

These approaches yielded interesting data concerning the involvement of the serotonergic, as well as noradrenergic and other neurotransmitter systems. Newer aspects comprise alterations in signal transduction mechanisms, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) and an excess activity of the noradrenergic system. The latter are both involved in the response to stressful life events and in the patho-physiology of depression and might thus have impact on suicide risk. However, multiple systems play a role in regulating the risk of suicide, and under this perspective new candidates have to be discovered.

On the basis of the neurobiological findings genetic studies have been carried out since more than a decade, which are now converging on several key areas. These studies focused mainly on the serotonergic pathway as the intent to die and the lethality of suicide acts were related to the serotonergic system. Two genes, the tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1) and the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) have so far emerged as being involved in the vulnerability for suicidality. Predominantly negative were the findings with any type of candidate genes of the underlying neurobiological pathways.

This chapter reviews the status of current knowledge in the area of neurobiology and genetics of suicidality, points to the weakness of the investigations and presents new approaches beyond the serotonergic system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Section of Psychiatric Genetics and Neurochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Nussbaumstrasse 7, Munich, 80336, Germany

    Brigitta Bondy & Peter Zill

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  1. Brigitta Bondy
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  2. Peter Zill
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Correspondence to Brigitta Bondy .

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  1. Center for Clinical Research in Neuropsychiatry (CCRN), Graylands Hospital, Claremont, WA, 6910, Australia

    Dieter B. Wildenauer

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Bondy, B., Zill, P. (2009). Neurobiology of Suicide. In: Wildenauer, D.B. (eds) Molecular Biology of Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Nucleic Acids and Molecular Biology, vol 23. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-85383-1_7

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