How Does COVID-19 Affect the Neurobiology of Suicide?

Abstract

Purpose of Review The aim of this review was to analyze COVID-19 effect on the biological features of suicidal vulnerability and its interaction with suicide-related biological pathways. We carried out a narrative review of international publications on the interactions of COVID-19 with the biological bases of suicide. Recent Findings We hypothesize that SARS-CoV-2 interacts with multiple biological processes that underlie suicidal behavior, such as the renin-angiotensin system, nicotinic receptors, and central and systemic inflammation. Social distancing measures may also worsen subjective or objective social disconnection, thus increasing the risk of suicide. Interestingly, the drugs used to prevent suicide could be promising options to counteract brain damage caused by this coronavirus. Summary SARS-CoV-2 interacts with multiple biological pathways involved in suicide and opens a new window for understanding the suicidal process. The development of suicide prevention treatments in the context of a pandemic may benefit from knowledge on these interactions.

How Did COVID-19 Affect Suicidality? Data from a Multicentric Study in Lombardy

“…Such a hypothesis is corroborated by the finding of a greater proportion of subjects free from psychopharmacological treatments accessed in 2020 compared with 2019 and by the greater likelihood of being already treated with anxyolitics among subjects seeking consultation in 2019. Interestingly, a recent study hypothesized a mediating role of HPA activity and inflammation between social isolation and suicidality, providing a possible neurobiological framework to the increased suicidality observed in our study [29]. Some noteworthy features also emerged from cross-sex comparisons within the 2020 year.…”

Psychosocial Correlates of Suicidal Behavior among Adolescents under Confinement Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Aguascalientes, Mexico: A Cross-Sectional Population Survey

“…Negative affect, hopelessness, low self-esteem [ 15 ], drug use, and early life traumatic experiences have been found to increase the risk of suicidal behavior [ 16 ]. We also know that SARS-Cov2 interacts with biological processes implicated in suicidal behavior [ 17 ]. There is evidence that some adolescents who exhibit suicidal ideation proceed to attempt suicide within two years [ 18 ], and that they meet diagnostic criteria for a mental disorder [ 19 ].…”

Comportamento suicida na pandemia por COVID-19: Panorama geral

“…Há registros na literatura descritos por Sher (2020a) os quais demonstram que as infecções por coronavírus estão associadas à neurotropismo e a neuroinvasão, sendo assim apresentam efeitos neurobiológicos. Dados biológicos recentes sugerem que o SARS-CoV-2 pode afetar o sistema nervoso central (SNC) através de vias biológicas relacionadas aos comportamentos suicidas: sistema de inflamação, sistema renina-angiotensina e receptores de nicotina (Conejero et al, 2021).…”

“…Segundo Ventriglio et al (2020), distanciamento social é um termo muito utilizado nesse contexto, mas o que se entende na realidade é o distanciamento físico, pois em momentos como este precisamos da proximidade emocional e social com outros indivíduos. De fato, as conexões sociais auxiliam as pessoas a lidar com o estresse, regular as emoções e continuar resilientes durante tempos desafiadores (Conejero et al, 2021). As medidas de saúde pública impostas devido a COVID-19 podem ocasionar o desenvolvimento de anomia, que tem repercussões na saúde mental, nas relações sociais, e consequências adversas típicas, como aumento dos casos de suicídio (Bastiampillai et al, 2020).…”

“…Conejero et al (2021), as conexões sociais são fundamentais na eficácia coletiva e promovem a esperança, como também as oportunidades de compartilhar altruísmo, emoções positivas, compaixão e gratidão. De fato, todas as formas de apoio psicológico proporcionam a resiliência psicológica e reforça a psico-neuroimunidade contra COVID-19.…”