Citation

Zahid Z, McMahon L, Lynch M. Arch. Suicide Res. 2022; 26(1): 187-207.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13811118.2020.1779154

PMID

32589862

Abstract

The current study investigated the neural correlates of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidal ideation across the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Two-hundred ninety-six undergraduates solved anagram tasks while being monitored by a functional near-infrared spectroscopy device, and completed a questionnaire assessing behaviors and symptoms. Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed location-specific changes in neural activity based on NSSI, suicidal ideation, task type, and cognitive demand. The presence of suicidal ideation was associated with specific patterns of neural activity, modified by sex and task type. Interestingly, participants who engaged in NSSI exhibited some deactivation of the dlPFC when faced with more difficult cognitive challenges. Future research on these processes may allow for noninvasive imaging techniques to help screen risk for suicidality and NSSI.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Risk Factors; Self-Injurious Behavior; Suicidal Ideation; Surveys and Questionnaires; suicidal ideation; non-suicidal self-injury; Functional near-infrared spectroscopy; Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex