Neural markers of NSSI and Suicide Risk: Acute Physical Pain Modulation of Neural Processing of Social Rejection

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescents often precedes a shift to suicidal ideation and suicide attempt. Understanding this process is critical for interfering with that transition. Theory suggests that NSSI and the transition to suicidal behavior is related to one’s experience of physical pain and social rejection. Brain imaging during tasks that evoke these experiences and follow-up assessments can reveal how brain function underlies NSSI and subsequent suicidal behavior.