title: Conceptualizing the neurobiology of non-suicidal self-injury from the perspective of the Research Domain Criteria Project.
abstract: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) commonly starts in adolescence and is associated with an array of negative outcomes. Neurobiological research investigating NSSI is in its early stages and most studies have examined this behavior within the context of specific diagnoses. However, the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative encourages researchers to examine brain-behavior relationships across diagnoses. This review on the neurobiology associated with NSSI is organized using the domains proposed by RDoC: Negative Valence, Positive Valence, Cognitive, Social Processes, and Arousal/Regulatory Systems. Evidence of neurobiological anomalies is found in each of these domains. We also propose future research directions, especially in regard to human development. Future NSSI studies should address this behavior independent of diagnosis, examine relevant constructs across multiple units of analysis, and assess how systems change across development and course of illness. These advances will be essential for guiding neurobiologically informed intervention and prevention strategies to target NSSI. In doing so, we may prevent the associated negative outcomes across the lifespan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, N218 Elliott Hall, 75 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States. Electronic address: westl110@umn.edu.
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Westlund Schreiner
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, N218 Elliott Hall, 75 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States. Electronic address: klimes@umn.edu.
authors.forename: Bonnie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Klimes-Dougan
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, N218 Elliott Hall, 75 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States. Electronic address: begne001@umn.edu.
authors.forename: Erin D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Begnel
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, F268 West Building, 2450 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55454, United States. Electronic address: rega0026@umn.edu.
authors.forename: Kathryn R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Cullen
mesh_terms: D006803:Human Development; D006801:Humans; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*
keywords: Neurobiology; Neuroimaging; Non-suicidal self injury; RDoC