Suicidal Behavior and Neuroinflammation: A Pilot Study

Inflammation in the brain has been implicated as playing a role in suicidal behavior. The aim of this proposal is to conduct a pilot positron emission tomography (PET) neuroimaging study of Translocation Protein (TSPO), which is a marker of neuroinflammation in the brain. The study will be conducted in adults with current unipolar major depressive disorder (MDD) who have been hospitalized for a recent suicide attempt. The results of this study will be compared to those of similar patients who have MDD but no life history of a suicide attempt. Research results may indicate that reducing neuroinflammation using therapies that are anti-inflammatory in nature may be effective.