Potential neurochemical links between cholesterol and suicidal behavior

Cantarelli, Maria da Graça; Tramontina, Ana Carolina; Leite, Marina Concli; Gonçalves, Carlos‐Alberto

doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2014.10.017

Cited by 41 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 116 publications

(123 reference statements)

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“…Almeida-Montes et al [2] found no significant difference in lipid profiles between patients who had attempted suicide and those who had not among patients with a diagnosis of a major depressive episode. No association between TC levels and suicidal act was shown in bipolar patients and those with major depressive disorder [8]. The same study showed that TG is significantly lower in those patients.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The most widely held view is that there may be a link between serum cholesterol levels and the central nervous serotonergic system [7] via the reduction of brain serotonin activity [11]. Another hypothesis is that the phospholipids metabolism is disrupted, combining a deficit of incorporation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the membrane with an increase their destruction [8]. Others have suggested that cholesterol may affect disease state and behaviors, as it plays a role in the production of the myelin sheath, in trans-membrane exchange, enzyme function, in the synthesis of steroid hormones, and neurotransmitter receptor expression [14].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A number of studies have investigated a possible link between low serum cholesterol and psychiatric symptoms, especially suicidal behavior [36]. These findings might be explained by the hypothesis that reduced cholesterol level contributes to decreased serotonergic transmission due to altered affinity and function of serotonin receptors and transporters [8]. It has been further hypothesized that low peripheral and central cholesterol levels may reduce lipid viscosity of neuronal cell membranes lowering the availability of pre-synaptic serotonin transporters and post-synaptic serotonin receptors [21, 38].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The association between altered lipid profile and suicide attempt among Tunisian patients with schizophrenia

et al. 2016

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BackgroundThere have been many studies on psychiatric disorders, but very little is known about the biology of suicide with schizophrenia. In the present study, we are looking for a possible connection between altered lipid profile and suicidal behavior in schizophrenic Tunisian patients.MethodsAssay of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and triglycerides (TG) has been done for 126 schizophrenic patients with and without suicide attempts and 131 healthy controls recruited in the University Hospital of Monastir.ResultsTC and LDL-c levels were significantly higher in schizophrenic patients compared to controls. TC was significantly lower in schizophrenic patients with suicide attempt compared to those without suicide attempt. Depending to the sonority of suicide attempt, TC was significantly lower in patients with recent suicide attempt compared to those with lifetime suicide attempt and without suicide attempt (p < 0.001), and no significant differences between TG, LDL-c, and HDL-c were noted.ConclusionsResults of this study showed that TC levels in schizophrenic patients after a recent suicide attempt are significantly lower than in patients without suicide attempt and with lifetime suicide attempts. TC can be one of biological markers defined suicidal risk for schizophrenic patients.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The association between altered lipid profile and suicide attempt among Tunisian patients with schizophrenia

et al. 2016

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“…The underlying mechanism remains unknown. One hypothesis is that the link between brain cholesterol and impulsive-suicidal behavior is modulation of neurotransmitter signaling by cholesterol in lipid rafts, membrane microdomains rich in cholesterol [ 37 , 38 ]: Key neurotransmitter receptors including 5-HT 1A , 5-HT 2 , and D 1 localize to lipid rafts and cholesterol content of neural membranes and localization of receptors to lipid rafts may modulate the function of these receptors [ 39 ]. Singh et al, [ 39 ] have suggested that either cholesterol or desmosterol is required for optimal ligand binding to the 5-HT 1A receptor.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plasma sterols and depressive symptom severity in a population-based cohort

Cenik

Snyder

et al. 2017

PLoS ONE

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Convergent evidence strongly suggests major depressive disorder is heterogeneous in its etiology and clinical characteristics. Depression biomarkers hold potential for identifying etiological subtypes, improving diagnostic accuracy, predicting treatment response, and personalization of treatment. Human plasma contains numerous sterols that have not been systematically studied. Changes in cholesterol concentrations have been implicated in suicide and depression, suggesting plasma sterols may be depression biomarkers. Here, we investigated associations between plasma levels of 34 sterols (measured by mass spectrometry) and scores on the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report (QIDS-SR16) scale in 3117 adult participants in the Dallas Heart Study, an ethnically diverse, population-based cohort. We built a random forest model using feature selection from a pool of 43 variables including demographics, general health indicators, and sterol concentrations. This model comprised 19 variables, 13 of which were sterol concentrations, and explained 15.5% of the variation in depressive symptoms. Desmosterol concentrations below the fifth percentile (1.9 ng/mL, OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2–2.9) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms of at least moderate severity (QIDS-SR16 score ≥10.5). This is the first study reporting a novel association between plasma concentrations cholesterol precursors and depressive symptom severity.

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“…Over time, the areas studied with respect to cholesterol metabolism and suicidality have expanded. In a review article from 2013, other possible mechanisms relating cholesterol and suicide are discussed, such as alterations of steroid hormones such as testosterone or cortisol; altered availability and function of lipid rafts; or an effect on brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurogenesis (da Graca Cantarelli et al, 2014). At present, there are still strong indications of a relationship between cholesterol metabolism, serotonergic signaling, and behavioral effects, particularly violent and impulsive behavior.…”

Section: Cholesterol and Serotoninmentioning

confidence: 99%