Brain Inflammation Is Linked To Suicidal Thoughts In Depressed Patients

Brain inflammation has been linked to suicidal thoughts in patients that are having issues with depression. It was psychiatrists at the University of Manchester that found out the link between suicidal ideation and neuroinflammation in patients. that have major depressive disorder. The thinking now is that neuroinflammation can increase the risk of people thinking about committing suicide as well as suicidal behavior. There was earlier research done before that showed a link similar to this.

Key Takeaways:

• Scientists have used PET scans to detect neuroinflammation in the brains of suicidal patients.
• The anterior cingulate cortex, responsible for regulating patient’s moods had the highest area of inflammation in depressed patients.
• These findings could lead to the development of anti inflammatory medications to treat depression.

“They now think that neuroinflammation could increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior.”

Read more: http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/brain-inflammation-is-linked-to-suicidal-thoughts-in-depressed-patients/