Suicide is a critical health concern, particularly among adolescents. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) typically emerge during late childhood and early adolescence, increasing exponentially throughout adolescence before plateauing in young adulthood. Although the reasons for this dramatic rise in STB onset remain unclear, recent evidence suggests that dysfunction in the endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling system—a key regulator of stress response and emotion regulation—may play a role. Altered eCB signaling has been associated with STBs, and given that the eCB system undergoes significant development during adolescence, this period may represent a heightened window of vulnerability for STBs. However, much of the existing evidence comes from animal models of chronic stress and postmortem studies of adults who died by suicide, leaving critical gaps in understanding how the eCB system influences STB risk in adolescents. This chapter reviews the current literature and outlines key directions for future research aimed at elucidating the mechanisms linking eCB system function to STB risk during adolescence.

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The Role of the Endocannabinoid System in Adolescent Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors

  • Samantha L. Ely,
  • Hilary A. Marusak

摘要

Suicide is a critical health concern, particularly among adolescents. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) typically emerge during late childhood and early adolescence, increasing exponentially throughout adolescence before plateauing in young adulthood. Although the reasons for this dramatic rise in STB onset remain unclear, recent evidence suggests that dysfunction in the endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling system—a key regulator of stress response and emotion regulation—may play a role. Altered eCB signaling has been associated with STBs, and given that the eCB system undergoes significant development during adolescence, this period may represent a heightened window of vulnerability for STBs. However, much of the existing evidence comes from animal models of chronic stress and postmortem studies of adults who died by suicide, leaving critical gaps in understanding how the eCB system influences STB risk in adolescents. This chapter reviews the current literature and outlines key directions for future research aimed at elucidating the mechanisms linking eCB system function to STB risk during adolescence.