Stefanie Desmyter

• Ghent University

This paper provides a review of the literature on neuroimaging studies of suicidal behavior, and discusses the relevance of these studies for our understanding of suicidal behavior. Main findings from molecular imaging studies include a reduced prefrontal perfusion or metabolism and a blunted increase in activation when challenged in association wi...

Suicidality is a major challenge for today's health care. Evidence suggests that there are differences in cognitive functioning of suicidal patients but the knowledge about the underlying neurobiology is limited. Brain imaging offers the advantage of a non-invasive in vivo direct estimation of detailed brain structure, regional brain functioning an...

Objectives: We aimed to examine the effects and safety of accelerated intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) on suicide risk in a group of treatment-resistant unipolar depressed patients, using an extensive suicide assessment scale. Methods: In 50 therapy-resistant, antidepressant-free depressed patients, an intensive protocol of accelerated i...

Is there a neuroanatomical basis for the vulnerability to suicide? Kees van Heeringen MD PhD Unit for Suicide Research Ghent University, Belgium 1. Objectives Suicidal behaviour is the consequence of the interaction between stressors and a diathesis or vulnerability. Evidence is accumulating that changes in the central nervous system contribute to...

Suicide is a major health concern. Effective acute interventions are lacking. Recent studies have suggested an acute decrease of suicidal ideations following repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS). However, placebo effects could not be excluded. We aimed to evaluate the acute effect of accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (...

Objective: We conducted meta-analyses of functional and structural neuroimaging studies comparing adolescent and adult individuals with a history of suicidal behavior and a psychiatric disorder to psychiatric controls in order to objectify changes in brain structure and function in association with a vulnerability to suicidal behavior. Methods: Mag...

This chapter reviews neuroimaging studies of suicidal behavior and its major risk factors, and discusses the relevance of the findings for the understanding, prediction, and prevention of suicide. Functional and structural imaging studies show a reduced prefrontal perfusion or metabolism and a blunted increase in activation when challenged in assoc...

This chapter provides a review of the literature on positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging studies of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Main findings from the review include a reduced prefrontal perfusion or metabolism in association with a history of suicide attempts or with suicidal ideatio...

The use of caffeine is widespread. Its influence on human health, in particular mental health, has been insufficiently studied and recognised by health care professionals. Frequently physicians do not consider the possible consequences of the use and abuse of caffeine. Caffeine can trigger psychiatric symptoms both in healthy and vulnerable individ...