Biological Indicators of Suicide Risk in Youth With Mood Disorders: What Do We Know So Far?

• NCJ Number: 240720
• Journal: Current Psychiatry Reports Volume: 14 Issue: 6 Dated: December 2012 Pages: 705-712
• Author(s): Ute Lewitzka; Sarah Doucette; Florian Seemuller; Paul Grof; Ann C. Duffy
• Date Published: December 2012
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper provides an overview of the current findings of neurobiological research in children and adolescents with mood disorders and suicidality including genetic/epigenetic findings, neurohormonal and immunological investigations.

Abstract

Suicidal behavior in youth is a major public health concern worldwide, and youth in the early stages of a primary mood disorder are an identifiable high-risk population. Neurobiological research in youth at risk for suicidality has sought to investigate the most promising parameters from research in adults. The present paper provides an overview of the current findings of neurobiological research in children and adolescents with mood disorders and suicidality including genetic/epigenetic findings, neurohormonal and immunological investigations. Longitudinal research in high-risk youth is a powerful way to investigate the influences and their pathways in determining suicidal risk in the context of a developing mood disorder. In the meantime, there are clear clinical indicators of risk to help identify youth who would benefit from close surveillance and early intervention. Abstract published by arrangement with Springer.