Neurobiology of suicide in children and adolescents: Implications for assessment and treatment (IN: Youth Suicide Prevention and Intervention, edited by J.P. Ackerman & L.M. Horowitz)

Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment of children and adolescents with suicidal thoughts and behavior have lagged behind the already sparse treatments for suicidal adults, leaving many at-risk youths undertreated. The following is a review of the neurobiological research literature focused on suicide risk in children and adolescents. Topics include the relationship of suicide risk to neuroimaging findings, impulsivity, genetics, and treatment approaches, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), lithium, ketamine, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).