Grant: CIHR Fellowship

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth. For every suicide death, there are approximately five hospitalizations for self-injury. Self-injury without the intent to end one's life is a prominent risk factor for future suicide attempts in youth. Self-harm includes both suicide attempts and self-injury without the intent to end one's life; both of these behaviors pose an equal risk for future suicide. Currently, suicide risk assessment relies entirely on psychiatric history and interviews with patients and caregivers. Youth with bipolar disorder, and children of parents with bipolar disorder, are at high risk for suicide. However, there is limited understanding of brain-based risk factors for this increased risk. This project aims to examine the association of selected brain imaging measures with self-harm in a group of youth with bipolar disorder, and in a group of youth offspring of parents with bipolar disorder. Measures of brain structure, brain blood flow, and brain activation will be examined, and compared between youth with and without a history of self-harm, as well as compared to healthy youth. In addition, we will use a novel statistical approach to identify a combination of clinical and brain-based measures that are related to self-harm. The proposed project will meaningfully advance the limited research on this topic, and ultimately help inform prevention strategies for youth at increased risk for suicide.