A team of researchers is uncovering biological clues that could revolutionise suicide prevention. Led by medical geneticist Prof. Laima Ambrozaitytė, psychiatrist PhD student Robertas Strumila, and Prof. Algirdas Utkus, the team is exploring blood biomarkers that may act as early warning signs, enabling timely intervention and personalised mental health care. The researchers are associated with Vilnius University.
“Despite Lithuania’s suicide rate nearly halving over the past 13 years, it remains one of the highest in Europe. The VU researchers, collaborating with local hospitals, aim to identify biomarkers linked to single and repeated suicide attempts. Since 2020, the study has focused on three groups: individuals who have attempted suicide, those with depression but no suicide attempts, and a control group,” the university said in a statement.
“This is a highly complex neurobiopsychological model,” explained Strumila, speaking remotely from France. “We analyse medical histories and symptoms, using blood samples as supplementary tools to assess the risk of suicidal behaviour.” Preliminary results highlight key differences between the groups, revealing that while depression and suicide are interconnected, they are not biologically identical processes.
One of the study’s groundbreaking findings involves phosphatidylethanol (PEth), a biomarker of chronic alcohol use. Elevated PEth levels were observed in recent suicide attempters but not in individuals with depression or the control group.
“This biomarker shows that chronic alcohol consumption increases the risk of suicide attempts fourfold,” said Strumila. “By testing for PEth, medical professionals could provide targeted warnings to patients about the risks associated with excessive drinking.”
Interestingly, the study found discrepancies between self-reported alcohol use and biomarker data among suicide attempters, revealing that many underreport their consumption.
The researchers also compared blood samples from Lithuania and South Korea, two countries with high suicide rates. The researchers aim to uncover differences in methylation profiles—an epigenetic process affecting gene expression.
“The analysis is still ongoing, but it could reveal unique patterns that enhance our understanding of suicide risk,” said Prof. Ambrozaitytė. “Even a lack of significant differences would provide valuable insights.”
According to the researchers, the findings underscore the potential for personalised medicine in mental health care. Biomarkers like PEth and ACTH, a hormone linked to stress regulation, offer promising avenues for tailored treatment.
“Our ultimate goal is to reduce suicide rates further, building on Lithuania’s progress with awareness campaigns and professional training,” said Strumila. “This research could contribute to global efforts in suicide prevention.” The findings of the study were published in the ScienceDirect journal recently.