In a paper published in Psychiatry Research, Brazilian scientists described molecular alterations identified in the blood and brain tissue of individuals who died by suicide. The study aimed to uncover susceptibility factors and potential targets for innovative pharmacological interventions.
Globally, over 700,000 people die by suicide annually, with a significant impact on the 15-29 age group where it ranks as the fourth leading cause of death. Risk factors for suicide encompass family history, personality traits, socioeconomic conditions, exposure to harmful content on social media, and psychiatric disorders like depression and bipolar disorder.
Neuroscientist Manuella Kaster and co-principal investigator Daniel Martins-de-Souza focused on understanding the neurobiological mechanisms associated with suicidal behavior. By analyzing molecular alterations in postmortem blood and brain tissue samples from suicides, they identified potential risk markers that could lead to novel pathways in neurobiology and aid in identifying therapeutic targets.
The study highlighted the importance of the prefrontal cortex in emotional regulation and decision-making, particularly in young individuals where alterations can significantly impact behavioral control. “This brain region is connected to all the centers of emotional and impulse control. It plays a key role in behavioral flexibility and decision-making. Alterations to its structure or function can be highly relevant in the context of suicidal behavior,” Kaster said.
The analysis also pointed to alterations to certain transcription factors. “These included transcription factor CREB1, which has already been widely studied for its effects on neuroplasticity and as an important target for antidepressants. However, transcription factors MBNL1, U2AF and ZEB2, which are associated with RNA splicing, formation of cortical connections and gliogenesis, have never been studied in the context of depression and suicide,” Martins-de-Souza explained.