Research Advances in Psychiatric Diseases: Focusing on the Prediction of Suicide

Dear Colleagues,

Suicide is a serious public health problem. Every 40 seconds, a person dies by suicide; over 800,000 people die by suicide every year. Up to 73% of global suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries; however, the highest age-standardized suicide rate is within high-income countries. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds. For each suicide committed, there are more than 20 nonfatal suicide attempts. A previous suicide attempt is a significant risk factor for suicide in the general population. Furthermore, men have higher suicide mortality rates than women. The reasons for suicide are multi-factorial, influenced by social, cultural, biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Most suicides are related to mental disorders, particularly depression, substance use disorders, and psychosis. However, many suicides occurs impulsively in moments of crisis. Suicide incidents are also high among vulnerable groups who experience discrimination. In the pathophysiology of suicidal behavior, hyperactivity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and dysfunction of the serotonergic and noradrenergic systems have been postulated. Structural and functional alterations in particular brain areas (e.g., the frontal lobe) with regard to suicidal behavior have been found in neuroimaging studies. Numerous studies on biomarkers for suicidal ideation and attempts have been performed in the last few years.

This Topic is focused on the prediction of suicidal behaviour, with an emphasis on clinical and biological markers. Articles on neurobiology, neuroimaging, genetics, as well as the prevention of suicide are also encouraged. This Topic will accept original articles, literature reviews, and meta-analyses.

Dr. Maria Skibińska
Prof. Dr. Monika Wiłkość-Dębczyńska
Dr. Przemyslaw Zakowicz
Topic Editors