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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2022.01.04.474947

Resting-State Network Analysis of Suicide Attempt History in the UK Biobank

Thompson, M. F.·Ghahramanlou-Holloway, M.·Murphy, M. A.·Perera, K. U.·Benca-Bachman, C.·Palmer, R. H. C.·Gray, J. C.
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Abstract

BackgroundPrior research has identified altered brain structure and function in individuals at risk for self-directed violence thoughts and behaviors. However, these studies have largely utilized healthy controls and findings have been inconsistent. Thus, this study examined differences in resting-state functional network connectivity among individuals with lifetime suicide attempt(s) versus lifetime self-directed violence thoughts alone. MethodsUsing data from the UK Biobank, this study utilized a series of linear regressions to compare individuals with lifetime suicide attempt(s) (n = 566) versus lifetime self-directed violence thoughts alone (n = 3,447) on within- and between-network resting-state functional connectivity subnetworks. ResultsThere were no significant between-group differences for between-network, within-network, or whole-brain functional connectivity after adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, and body mass index and performing statistical corrections for multiple comparisons. ConclusionsResting-state network measures may not differentiate between individuals with lifetime suicide attempt(s) and lifetime self-directed violence thoughts alone. Null findings diverge from results reported in smaller neuroimaging studies of suicide risk, but are consistent with null findings in other large-scale studies and meta-analyses. Strengths of the study include its large sample size and stringent control group. Future research on a wider array of imaging, genetic, and psychosocial risk factors can clarify relative contributions of individual and combined variables to suicide risk and inform scientific understanding of ideation-to-action framework.

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Thompson, M. F., Ghahramanlou-Holloway, M., Murphy, M. A., Perera, K. U., Benca-Bachman, C., Palmer, R. H. C., Gray, J. C.. 2022-01-05. Resting-State Network Analysis of Suicide Attempt History in the UK Biobank. https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.01.04.474947

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