Five key blood markers linked to suicide have been identified

Good news! Amazing stuff! So far these discoveries seem to be limited to the presence of depression.

"... researchers have found biomarkers linked to mitochondrial dysfunction, which interrupts how cells ‘talk’ to each other and could be a factor in suicidal ideation. While suicide is complex and includes broad factors such as trauma and stress, being able to identify those most at risk could be a crucial diagnostic tool. ...

Earlier this year, scientists discovered molecular links to suicidal ideation, showing that some people who suffer from depression could be more at risk. And research into blood markers has been under way since 2019. ..."

From the abstract:

"Peripheral blood metabolomics was used to gain chemical insight into the biology of treatment-refractory Major Depressive Disorder with suicidal ideation, and to identify individualized differences for personalized care. The study cohort consisted of 99 patients with treatment-refractory major depressive disorder and suicidal ideation (trMDD-SI n = 52 females and 47 males) and 94 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 48 females and 46 males). The median age was 29 years (IQR 22–42). Targeted, broad-spectrum metabolomics measured 448 metabolites. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) were measured as biomarkers of mitochondrial dysfunction. The diagnostic accuracy of plasma metabolomics was over 90% (95%CI: 0.80–1.0) by area under the receiver operator characteristic (AUROC) curve analysis. Over 55% of the metabolic impact in males and 75% in females came from abnormalities in lipids. Modified purines and pyrimidines from tRNA, rRNA, and mRNA turnover were increased in the trMDD-SI group. FGF21 was increased in both males and females. Increased lactate, glutamate, and saccharopine, and decreased cystine provided evidence of reductive stress. Seventy-five percent of the metabolomic abnormalities found were individualized. Personalized deficiencies in CoQ10, flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), citrulline, lutein, carnitine, or folate were found. Pathways regulated by mitochondrial function dominated the metabolic signature. Peripheral blood metabolomics identified mitochondrial dysfunction and reductive stress as common denominators in suicidal ideation associated with treatment-refractory major depressive disorder. Individualized metabolic differences were found that may help with personalized management."

Five key blood markers linked to suicide have been identified In a finding that could have a significant impact on personalized medicine and treatment, scientists have identified blood compounds linked to suicidal ideation.

Blood Testing Identifies Biomarkers of Suicidal Thoughts UC San Diego study suggests new way to personalize mental health care

Metabolic features of treatment-refractory major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation (open access)

Wow! What a chart! Fig. 2: Metabolomic analysis of treatment-refractory major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation.

Fig. 3: Biomarkers of mitochondrial dysfunction.