Conference Agenda

Research into the biological basis of suicidality began with studies of the cerebrospinal fluid in individuals with depression and later expanded into genetic research, primarily focusing on variations in genes related to neurotransmitter systems. However, because suicidality is shaped by a complex interplay of biological and environmental factors, epigenetics has emerged as a connecting field between these two perspectives. The term epigenetics refers to inherited or acquired changes in gene expression that occur throughout life without alterations in the DNA sequence itself. As such, epigenetics offers a valuable framework for understanding the subtle interaction between environmental and genetic influences at the cellular level. Among the most extensively studied mechanisms of epigenetic regulation is DNA methylation.

Recent technological advances have shifted research from the investigation of single (epi)genetic variants toward a multi-omics approach, enabling the simultaneous analysis of numerous potential biomarkers. Among less investigated, but becoming more and more promising targets are genes and proteins involved in immune and inflammatory pathways. They can be associated with stress, and stress exposure is recognized as one of the most significant risk factors for suicidality. Acute stress has been associated with altered glucocorticoid levels as well as changes in DNA methylation patterns. This is especially evident in the context of early-life adversity, where abnormal cortisol stress responses and elevated levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers have been consistently observed.

Research on molecular markers of suicidality, and in the broader field of psychiatry, is of great importance, particularly because no quantifiable indicators are currently available. With increasing insight into the neurobiological underpinnings of suicidality, this line of research may contribute to the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. To date, the most promising targets include molecular components of neurotransmitter systems, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, immune response pathways, and inflammatory processes.