Neural Correlates of Suicidal Behavior in Youth

Summary

This study, titled "Neural Correlates of Suicidal Behavior in Youth: a Pre and Post CAMS Therapy Neuroimaging Study," aims to better understand the brain mechanisms underlying suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adolescents and young adults (ages 14-24). Suicide is a leading cause of death in this population, and current clinical approaches often fail to accurately predict or prevent suicidal behavior. This study seeks to identify objective neurobiological markers associated with suicide risk and treatment response.

Participants will be divided into three groups: (1) high-risk individuals recently hospitalized following a suicide attempt, (2) medium-risk individuals with chronic suicidal ideation but no attempts, and (3) low-risk healthy controls. All participants will undergo advanced neuroimaging, including magnetoencephalography (MEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), along with comprehensive psychiatric assessments.

The study focuses on brain regions and networks implicated in suicidality, including the anterior cingulate cortex and salience network, as well as neurochemical markers such as glutamate. It also examines electrophysiological activity and functional connectivity patterns associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

High-risk participants will receive an evidence-based psychotherapy called the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS). This therapeutic approach emphasizes collaboration between patient and clinician to identify and address the underlying drivers of suicidal thoughts, with a focus on increasing hope and reducing psychological distress. Neuroimaging and clinical assessments will be repeated after completion of CAMS to evaluate treatment-related changes.

The study's primary goals are to:

* Identify neural and electrophysiological correlates of suicide risk.
* Distinguish biological differences between individuals with suicidal ideation and those who have attempted suicide.
* Determine how CAMS therapy affects brain function and neurochemistry.

By integrating clinical and neurobiological data, this research aims to improve understanding of suicidality, enhance risk prediction, and inform more effective, personalized interventions for at-risk youth.

Conditions

• Suicidal Ideation
• Suicide Attempt
• Suicidal Behavior
• Depression / Major Depressive Disorder
• Hopelessness
• Neurobiological

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

CAMS

CAMS weekly sessions will be started immediately as an inpatient at the start of the study for the high risk participants. CAMS will be continued weekly after the patient is discharged and followed up as an outpatient. Weekly CAMS sessions will be terminated after the subject, as an outpatient, has three consecutive outpatient CAMS sessions with an overall risk \< 2 (# 6 on the SSF Core Assessment) along with a positive response regarding their thoughts/feelings and clinician indicating behavioral stability (suicidal behavior).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• MQ Mental Health Research

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• The Cleveland Clinic

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Tatiana Falcone, M.D. · The Cleveland Clinic

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

14 Years

Max Age

24 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-04-13

Primary Completion

2031-09-01

Completion

2031-10-01

Countries

• United States

Study Locations