Suicidality in Depressed Adolescents: A Study of Neural Changes with a Mind-Body Intervention

2 research findings from this AFSP-funded study.

Research finding · December 2024

Connectivity in the brain could provide insights into adolescent suicidal behavior

Understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of suicide risk in adolescents is a critical area of research. While adult studies suggest a role for serotonergic dysfunction in suicide (i.e., dysregulation in neurotransmitters related to emotional and mood stability), particularly involving the brain’s putamen (i.e., an area of the brain involved in motor control and emotion regulation), less is known about these mechanisms in adolescents. There has been a question about whether differences in resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC), which can be thought of as how the brain is function without external stimulation, of the putamen may be linked to suicide attempts in depressed youth. More research could potentially offer insights into the brain areas that influence suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Using resting-state brain scans, Dr. Olga Tymofiyeva examined brain connectivity in 30 adolescents with depression, comparing 17 who had no suicide attempt history to 13 who did. Dr. Tymofiyeva found that adolescents with a history of suicide attempts showed reduced RSFC between the putamen and regions implicated in motor and brain regulation. A possible explanation for the results is that in teens who have attempted suicide, the way serotonin is transported to the putamen and other areas might not match up properly, which could lead to weaker communication between these two brain areas. These findings suggest that putamen circuitry may play a role in adolescent suicidal thoughts and behaviors, informing future models of suicide risk and potential neurobiological targets for treatment in teens.

Citation: Tymofiyeva, O., Ho, T. C., Connolly, C. G., Gorrell, S., Rampersaud, R., Darrow, S. M., Max, J. E., & Yang, T. T. (2024). Examining putamen resting-state connectivity markers of suicide attempt history in depressed adolescents. Frontiers in psychiatry, 15, 1364271. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1364271

This finding comes from an AFSP-funded study — see the grant below ↓

Research finding · October 2024

A new model for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adolescents’ brains may inform future research

Understanding changes in the brains of adolescents at risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) is a central pursuit for many suicide prevention researchers. Few biological indicators (i.e., biomarkers) for STBs in adolescents have been identified so far and there is a need for more brain imaging studies to achieve the clinical goals of early detection of suicide risk, risk classification, and intervention development.

With this in mind, Dr. Olga Tymofiyeva conducted a systematic review of 28 studies that evaluated brain regions and networks associated with STBs in adolescents. After synthesizing the findings, Dr. Tymofiyeva proposed a new brain model for researching adolescent STBs, the Emotional paiN and social Disconnect (END) model, which highlights two key brain circuits: The emotional pain circuit, which includes parts of the brain (e.g., the cerebellum, amygdala, and hippocampus) that were different in adolescents with suicidal ideation and behavior. The social disconnect circuit was found to be specific to adolescents who have attempted suicide and involved areas of the brain that are related to social interaction and how teens perceive themselves in social situations. Dr. Tymofiyeva suggests that if future research supports this model, it could help clinicians identify at-risk adolescents early and create treatments that target emotional pain and social isolation.

Citation: Tymofiyeva, O., Reeves, K. W., Shaw, C., Lopez, E., Aziz, S., Max, J. E., & Yang, T. T. (2023). A Systematic Review of MRI Studies and the “Emotional paiN and social Disconnect (END)” Brain Model of Suicidal Behavior in Youth. Behavioural Neurology, 2023(1), 7254574. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/7254574

This finding comes from an AFSP-funded study — see the grant below ↓

The grant behind this work · 2019 Standard Research Grant