Neurobiology and medico-legal aspects of suicides among older adults: a narrative review.

Autor:	Sessa F; Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies 'G.F. Ingrassia', University of Catania, Catania, Italy., Polito R; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy., Li Rosi G; Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies 'G.F. Ingrassia', University of Catania, Catania, Italy., Salerno M; Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies 'G.F. Ingrassia', University of Catania, Catania, Italy., Esposito M; Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, 'Kore' University of Enna, Enna, Italy., Pisanelli D; Microbiology and Virology Unit, Ospedali Riuniti, Viale Luigi Pinto, Foggia, Italy., Ministeri F; Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies 'G.F. Ingrassia', University of Catania, Catania, Italy., Messina A; Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania, Luigi Vanvitelli, Napoli, Italy., Carotenuto M; Clinic of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Mental Health, Physical and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy., Chieffi S; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Campania, Luigi Vanvitelli, Napoli, Italy., Messina G; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Campania, Luigi Vanvitelli, Napoli, Italy., Monda M; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Campania, Luigi Vanvitelli, Napoli, Italy.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	Frontiers in psychiatry [Front Psychiatry] 2024 Sep 02; Vol. 15, pp. 1449526. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Sep 02 (Print Publication: 2024).
DOI:	10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1449526
Abstrakt:	The task of preventing suicide in older adults is an important social burden as older adults aged above 65 are exposed to singular psychological aspects that increase suicide risks. Moreover, when an older adult corpse is found, the medico-legal inspection represents a fundamental tool to identify the exact cause of death, classifying or excluding it as suicide. In this scenario, this review aims to explore the neurobiological factors that could be related to suicidal behavior in older adults. A further goal of this review is the exploration of the medico-legal aspects surrounding older adult suicides, clarifying the importance of forensic investigation. Particularly, this review examines issues such as neurotransmitter imbalances, cognitive impairment, neuroinflammation, psychosocial factors related to geriatric suicide, and neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, medico-legal aspects such as policy considerations, legal frameworks, mental health assessments, ethical implications and forensic investigation were explored. Considering the importance of this phenomenon, especially in western countries, a need has emerged for focused screening tools on suicidal behavior among older adults, in order to contain it. Therefore, this review makes an exhaustive appraisal of the literature giving insights into the delicate interplay between neurobiology as well as mental health in relation to older adult suicide within a medico-legal context. The comprehension of different aspects about this complex phenomenon is fundamental to propose new and more effective interventions, supporting tailored initiatives such as family support and improving healthcare, specifically towards vulnerable ageing societies to reduce older adult suicide risks. Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision. (Copyright © 2024 Sessa, Polito, Li Rosi, Salerno, Esposito, Pisanelli, Ministeri, Messina, Carotenuto, Chieffi, Messina and Monda.)
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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