Suicidal Ideation in Adolescence: A Perspective View on the Role of the Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex

Abstract

Suicide in adolescence is a worldwide issue, and it continues to present a serious problem in terms of its prevention. Among the various aspects of suicide, a very interesting area of research is represented by suicidal ideation. Recently, neuroimagingbased methods have made it possible to study the cognitive processes involved in several social situations and clinical conditions. This theoretical perspective article with an interdisciplinary approach integrates evidence from developmental psychology and social neuroscience with the aim of investigating the role of the brain area responsible for regulating negative emotions during the cognitive processes of suicidal ideation: the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. By highlighting the role of brain areas in the few studies published so far, it is possible to develop perspectives of considerable impact. Studying and understanding the role of brain areas involved in suicidal thoughts in adolescents could facilitate the creation of new perspectives on prevention programs and interventions.

The Developing Brain in the Digital Era: A Scoping Review of Structural and Functional Correlates of Screen Time in Adolescence

“…When it comes to the assessment of brain activities, there is still little knowledge regarding the role of some brain areas involved in emotion regulation and cognitive control processes that are likely to be related to (excessive) screen time. One such area is the VMPFC, a key area for communication during adolescence between the cortical and subcortical structures (Morese and Longobardi, 2020). At the same time, efficient connections with subcortical regions, including the hippocampus, amygdala, striatum, and VTA (Calabro et al, 2020), were found to be indispensable for cognitive control abilities, hence, a further look at how these connections develop and are shaped by different online activities is now needed.…”

Socio-affective program to reduce the risk of suicide in adolescents

“…Hay que destacar que la ideación suicida son los pensamientos o ideas de utilizarse como agente de la propia muerte, que expresa el deseo o la intención de morir, y que puede variar en gravedad dependiendo de la especificidad del plan suicida y del grado de intención (Pérez, Martínez y Avendaño, 2017); esto incluye el termino de conducta o comportamiento suicida, que engloba una diversidad de comportamientos como pensar en el suicidio (ideación suicida), planificar el suicidio, intentar el suicidio y cometer un suicidio propiamente dicho (Generalitat, 2015). Actualmente los métodos basados en neuroimágenes han permitido estudiar los procesos cognitivos implicados en varias situaciones sociales y condiciones clínicas, con el objetivo de investigar el papel del área cerebral responsable para regular las emociones negativas durante los procesos cognitivos de ideación suicida (Morese y Longobardi, 2020). Así investigadores como Miller et al (2018), demostraron que una mala capacidad para regular las emociones está relacionada a la ideación suicida.…”

Editorial: Cyberbullying and Mental Health: An Interdisciplinary Perspective

“…The data show that males are at greater risk of being victims of cyberbullying than females, and that the impact of cyberbullying is greater on children who have not also experienced traditional bullying. It is possible that cyberbullying in childhood has different risk factors added to social exclusion (Morese and Longobardi, 2020 ) and impacts on developmental processes than in adolescence, and future research in this area should be encouraged.…”