title: The serotonergic system in mood disorders and suicidal behaviour.
abstract: A stress-diathesis explanatory model of suicidal behaviour has proved to be of heuristic value, and both clinical and neurobiological components can be integrated into such a model. A trait deficiency in serotonin input to the anterior cingulate and ventromedial prefrontal cortex is found in association with suicide, and more recently non-fatal suicidal behaviour, and is linked to decision-making and suicide intent by imaging and related studies in vivo. The same neural circuitry and serotonin deficiency may contribute to impulsive aggressive traits that are part of the diathesis for suicidal behaviour and are associated with early onset mood disorders and greater risk for suicidal behaviour. Other brain areas manifest deficient serotonin input, that is, a trait related to recurrent major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Thus the serotonin system is involved in both the diathesis for suicidal behaviour in terms of decision-making, and to a major stressor, namely episodes of major depression.
authors: Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10471, USA. jjm@columbia.edu
authors: J John
authors: JJ
authors: Mann
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000503:physiopathology; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012701:Serotonin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A; D012701:Serotonin