Suicidal brains different

A LARGE Australian-led study has found a link between brain structure and the risk of a suicide attempt, suggesting there may be a biological cause of the behaviour.

Scientists from the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane examined brain imaging and clinical data from almost 19,000 people, comparing those who suffered depression and had attempted suicide in the past and those who were mentally healthy.

Multiple sections of the brain connected to emotions and rewards were found to be smaller in the people who had attempted suicide.

Further studies were needed to determine whether the smaller brain regions caused suicidal desires or if it worked the other way round.