Journal Article

Brain grey and white matter structural associations with future suicidal ideation and behaviors in adolescent and young adult females with mood disorders

Spencer, Linda, Suckling, John, Goldman, Danielle A., Dauvermann, Maria R., Colic, Lejla, Velzen, Laura S., Schmaal, Lianne, Constable, R. Todd, Villa, Luca M., Harmelen, Anne‐Laura, Goodyer, Ian M., Panchal, Priyanka, Blumberg, Hilary P., Kim, Jihoon A., Quatrano, Susan, Sankar, Anjali

2022

Overview

Background To reduce suicide in females with mood disorders, it is critical to understand brain substrates underlying their vulnerability to future suicidal ideation and behaviors (SIBs) in adolescence and young adulthood. In an international collaboration, grey and white matter structure was investigated in adolescent and young adult females with future suicidal behaviors (fSB) and ideation (fSI), and without SIBs (fnonSIB). Methods Structural (n = 91) and diffusion‐weighted (n = 88) magnetic resonance imaging scans at baseline and SIB measures at follow‐up on average two years later (standard deviation, SD = 1 year) were assessed in 92 females [age(SD) = 16.1(2.6) years] with bipolar disorder (BD, 28.3%) or major depressive disorder (MDD, 71.7%). One‐way analyses of covariance comparing baseline regional grey matter cortical surface area, thickness, subcortical grey volumes, or white matter tensor‐based fractional anisotropy across fSB (n = 40, 43.5%), fSI (n = 33, 35.9%) and fnonSIB (n = 19, 20.6%) groups were followed by pairwise comparisons in significant regions (p < 0.05). Results Compared to fnonSIBs, fSIs and fSBs showed significant decreases in cortical thickness of right inferior frontal gyrus pars orbitalis and middle temporal gyrus, fSIs of left inferior frontal gyrus, pars orbitalis. FSIs and fSBs showed lower fractional anisotropy in left uncinate fasciculus and corona radiata, and fSBs in right uncinate and superior fronto‐occipital fasciculi. Conclusions The study provides preliminary evidence of grey and white matter alterations in brain regions subserving emotional and behavioral regulation and perceptual processing in adolescent and young adult females with mood disorders with, versus without, future SIBs. Findings suggest potential targets to prevent SIBs in female adolescents and young adults. This study aimed to identify brain alterations associated with longitudinal (future) suicide ideation and behaviors in female adolescents and young adults with mood disorders. In an international consortium, we found decreases in cortical thickness and fractional anisotropy in regions and tracts subserving emotional and behavioral regulation in female individuals with future suicide ideation and behaviors. These preliminary findings may aid in generating targeted interventions.

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc,John Wiley and Sons Inc,Wiley
• Subject: adolescence / Females / gender / magnetic resonance imaging / mood disorder / Mood disorders / Original / suicidal behaviour / Suicidal ideation / Suicides & suicide attempts / Teenagers / Young adults