Two brain networks key to suicide risk identified


PTI, Dec 2, 2019, 3:04 PM IST

London: Scientists have identified two key networks within the brain that play a crucial role in the risk that an individual will attempt suicide — one of the world’s major killers.

The finding by researchers, including those from the University of Cambridge in the UK, may provide important targets for the generation of more effective suicide prevention strategies.

The study, published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, reviewed two decades worth of existing literature relating to brain imaging studies of suicidal thoughts and behavior.

The researchers looked at 131 studies, which covered over 12,000 individuals, looking at alterations in brain structure and function that might increase an individual’s suicide risk.

They noted that 800,000 people die globally by suicide every year, the equivalent of one every 40 seconds.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death globally of 15 to 29, year olds, the researchers said.

The team noted that more adolescents die by suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease combined.

The researchers looked for evidence of structural, functional, and molecular alterations in the brain that could increase the risk of suicide.

They identified two brain networks — and the connections between them — that appear to play an important role.

The first of these networks involve areas towards the front of the brain known as the medial and lateral ventral prefrontal cortex and their connections to other brain regions involved in emotion, the researchers said.

Alterations in this network may lead to excessive negative thoughts, and difficulties regulating emotions, stimulating thoughts of suicide, they said.

The researchers explained that the second network involves regions known as the dorsal prefrontal cortex and inferior frontal gyrus system.

Alterations in this network may influence suicide attempt, in part, due to its role in decision making, generating alternative solutions to problems, and controlling behavior, the study found.

The researchers suggest that altering the networks in terms of their structure, function or biochemistry, might lead to a situation where an individual thinks negatively about the future.

This can also make them unable to control their thoughts, which might lead to situations where an individual is at higher risk for suicide, they said.

“The review provides evidence to support a very hopeful future in which we will find new and improved ways to reduce risk of suicide,” said Professor Hilary Blumberg from Yale University in the US.

“The brain circuitry differences found to converge across the many studies provide important targets for the generation of more effective suicide prevention strategies,” Blumberg said.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

World Bunts Summit to be held in Mumbai on December 7

SC dismisses PIL seeking CBI probe into Tirupati laddus row

Salman Khan gets another threat; message sent to Mumbai traffic police helpline

SC overrules 1967 verdict holding AMU can’t be minority institution

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, editors of Kannada news portals booked for allegedly spreading fake news

Egg distribution scheme for school children under scrutiny over alleged mismanagement

India Post M’luru division to offer doorstep service to pensioners for Jeevan Praman certificate

Related Articles More

Don’t trust caller ID info; can be spoofed easily: Cyber advisory to govt officials

Stay Safe Online: Tips to avoid cyber fraud!

Three Chinese astronauts enter space station after successful launch

What is AI superintelligence? Could it destroy humanity? And is it really almost here?

IIT-B develops method to maintain comfortable temperature inside homes in joint research

MUST WATCH

Gho Pooja in Deepavali Festival

Melukote Deepavali

Ganapathi Co-operative Society Ltd

Udayavani Chinnara Banna 2024

Annapoorna Aahar | Food Places In Mysore


Latest Additions

Leopard spotted near M’luru airport, Forest Dept begins search operation

Mangaluru International Airport achieves record passenger & air traffic movement in October 2024

World Bunts Summit to be held in Mumbai on December 7

SC refuses to examine plea to appoint ‘yoga mitra’ instructors in schools

Maha Vikas Aghadi a vehicle sans wheels and brakes: PM Modi

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.