Conference paper
HORMONAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL INFLUENCES ON ADOLESCENT SUICIDE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Pauline Manceaux
; Université Catholique de Louvain, Psychopathology and Psychosomatic Unit, Mont-Godinne University Hospital, Yvoir, Belgium
Denis Jacques
; Université Catholique de Louvain, Psychopathology and Psychosomatic Unit, Mont-Godinne University Hospital, Yvoir, Belgium
Nicolas Zdanowicz
; Université Catholique de Louvain, Psychopathology and Psychosomatic Unit, Mont-Godinne University Hospital, Yvoir, Belgium
Abstract
Background: Teen suicide is a major public health problem. In the United States, it is the third cause of death among the 10-24
year olds. Adolescence involves numerous changes, whether physical, social, emotional or hormonal. At a neurobiological level, a
teenager’s nervous system is also affected and undergoes significant modifications.
Subjects and methods: We conducted a systematic review of electronic literature published between January 1990 and August
2014 via MEDLINE, PubMED and PsychINFO to list articles concerning the risk of teen depression and suicide risks in adolescents
as well as those relating to the adolescent’s neuro-anatomical brain and the effect that puberty has on it.
Results and discussion: When analyzing the various studies, it is clear that all support the idea that adolescence is a special
period, both at neuroanatomical and biological levels. The risk of impulsiveness and depression is explained, anatomically, by a
faster maturation of the limbic system, and biologically, by a higher sensitivity of the serotoninergic system and to glucocorticoids,
which themselves are influenced by the specific hormonal environment during this period. Moreover and above all, adolescence is a
vulnerable time for many reasons: physical, hormonal, social, cognitive, and emotional changes, self-development, etc. We should
not restrict it to structural neurological changes without taking into account the other factors or compartmentalize young people into
a reductive model based on determinism.
Conclusions: Adolescence is a time of change, transformation, and adaptation. The hormonal events that occur during this
period have significant effects on brain development, neuro-cerebral chemistry, adolescent behavior and risks of depression. It is
important to try to prevent suicide and depression in adolescents considering its entirety and complexity but also by paying attention
to neuro-biological factors even if, at present, many research projects are currently underway to develop an appropriate drug
therapy strategy.
Keywords
adolescent brain; neuro-biological factors; depression; cortisol; suicide
Hrčak ID:
264554
URI
Publication date:
8.9.2015.
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