Elainna Simpson

Brain Brief
Is a Treatment to Suicide Possible?

Suicide is a prevalent issue throughout the United States. According to the National

Institute of Mental Health, 1.4 million adults attempted suicide during 2019 alone. Despite its

prevalence, we have no biological indicators of those who may commit suicide and no treatment

to prevent it. Researchers have recently tried to target behaviors or symptoms associated with

people who commit suicide in order to reduce suicide rates. The common symptoms associated

with suicide are likely no surprise: increased stress which causes depression and anxiety-like

behaviors, impaired decision-making, poor working memory, and increased impulsivity.

Scientific research shows that in suicide models these symptoms are associated with an increase

in neuroinflammation or immune system activation in the brain. Improved knowledge on this

neuroinflammation can help to create new drug treatment options for suicidal people.

Chronic stress can change the balance

of the brain and body. Inflammation can occur

to correct this imbalance, which is why

neuroinflammation is associated with many

neuropsychiatric diseases like depression and

anxiety. An increase in microglia has been

found in post mortem brains of those who

have committed suicide. Microglia are brain

cells that primarily make up the brain’s

immune system. Normally microglia help

protect brain cells, which is called neuroprotection. Yet, during chronic inflammation microglia

can become continually activated and produce chemical messengers that keep the brain in an

inflamed state. This inflamed state can lead to brain cell death. Researchers believe that this is

the issue within suicide brains, and possibly what is causing suicide symptoms.

The increase in microglia and therefore inflammation has been connected to suicide

symptoms. Suicidal individuals are more likely to have more depressive and anxiety-like

symptoms, increased impulsivity, poor working memory, and impaired ability to make decisions.

These symptoms of suicidal individuals have been associated with an increase in

neuroinflammation. There have even been attempts to target microglia to limit inflammation and

improve these symptoms. Some researchers have utilized minocycline, which is a drug that can

inhibit, or stop, microglial activation. When used this drug can decrease inflammation levels and

improve the subject’s working memory and decision-making. Minocycline is still undergoing

clinical trials as a treatment for mental health disorders and suicide.

However, while we wait for drug development, there also are several holistic ways to

decrease neuroinflammation which could help reduce the incidence of suicide. So what are the

ways you can lower neuroinflammation and improve your body and mind? Yoga, meditation,

breathing exercises, therapeutic massage with sesame oils, and changing your diet have all been

shown to reduce inflammation levels. Refined carbohydrates (processed sugars and starches –

sugar, corn syrup, fruit juice, cereal, etc.) and refined vegetable oils (oils extracted from seeds –

soybean oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, etc.) have been linked to increases in inflammation. So

instead you can reduce omega-6 fatty acids by seeking other fat sources and reducing or

removing carbohydrates from your diet to decrease inflammation. A research team found that the

Mediterranean diet supplemented with fish oil had increased positive mental health in depressed
patients after three months and the results were still evident six months later. This diet, due to

lack of refined carbohydrates and refined vegetable oils, has also been shown to have anti-

inflammatory effects in neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s disease. Although these

suggestions are not a cure-all, they have been shown to reduce inflammation which could

improve both your physical and mental health.