Neurobiological elements of hopelessness and impulsivity in suicidal behavior

Suicide is an important public health problem. Besides the well-known psychosocial factors that contribute to suicidal behavior, the neurobiological factors have gained much visibility in the last years. The neurobiological studies in suicide were linked with psychiatric disorders or they were considered in an independent way. The emphasis on the biological aspects of suicide has a great contribution in suicide prediction and, consequently bring more useful data in clinical practice. Research in this domain underlie the interaction of multiple factors grouped into predisposition and stressful events. These factors have biochemical, neuroanatomical and psychological facets that are characterized by some models of suicidal behavior.
Hopelessness and impulsivity are two indispensable components of the suicidal behavior. Both depression or impulsivity can be present as isolated clinical symptoms or as a part of some psychiatric disorders. Serotonin contribute to depression and impulsivity components, noradrenaline and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis contribute mainly to hopelessness/depression.