SUICIDE: A blood test to detect the imminent risk?

Suicide is a serious public health problem, responsible for nearly 800,000 deaths a year worldwide. In the United States alone, suicide rates have increased by more than 35% in the past 20 years. Suicide prevention strategies and current medications, while helpful, have failed to stem the increase in suicides. It is estimated that only 30% of suicidal people consult a doctor or health professional in the month before or after the suicide attempt (ST).

One of the lead authors, Dr. Adolfo Sequeira, a researcher in the UCI Department of Psychiatry, explains that this is the first study to analyze blood and brain samples from participants diagnosed with major depressive disorder. .

Detect the imminent risk of TS

The study uses a novel gene expression approach as well as a gene expression quantification approach that is less sensitive to the effects of RNA degradation (NanoString). After analyzing data from blood and brain samples of suicide victims, researchers found changes in gene expression in stress response, polyamine metabolism, circadian rhythm, immune dysregulation and maintenance of telomeres.

In addition to identifying those most at risk for suicide, the study provides new understanding of molecular changes in these suicidal patients.

Finally, the identified blood biomarkers constitute an important step towards the development of predictive blood tests of the imminent risk of TS.