The long cell in the middle is a characteristic von Economo neuron.*
Image: Courtesy of Elisabeth Petrasch-Parwez Ruhr University Bochum
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A certain type of brain cell may be linked with suicide, according to a recent investigation. People who take their own lives have more densely packed von Economo neurons, large spindle-shaped cells that have dramatically increased in density over the course of human evolution.
Researchers in Germany analyzed the roots of suicide in the brain by focusing on a neural network linked with psychological pain, which includes regions such as the anterior cingulate cortex and the anterior insula, where von Economo neurons are concentrated. These cells bear receptors for neurotransmitters that help to regulate emotion, such as dopamine, serotonin and vasopressin. Because they are found in highly gregarious animals such as whales, elephants and apes—with humans possessing the highest densities—scientists believe they might specifically deal with complex social emotions such as shame.
The team compared the density of von Economo neurons in nine patients who died from suicide and 30 who died of natural causes, such as heart failure. All subjects had been diagnosed clinically with either schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The researchers found the density of these neurons was significantly greater in those who died of suicide than in those who had not, regardless of what disorder they had. Evolutionary psychiatrist and neuroscientist Martin Brüne of University Hospital Bochum and his colleagues detailed these findings online June 22 in PLoS ONE.
If von Economo neurons do play a role in processing complex emotions such as empathy, guilt and shame, an overabundance may in some cases trigger emotional disturbances, potentially explaining the link seen with suicidal behavior, Brüne says. He adds that high densities of von Economo neurons do not necessarily cause suicide: “Having good empathetic abilities is certainly something that is advantageous in most situations but perhaps can have deleterious effects under very specific circumstances.” Future insights into the role of these cells in emotion and cognition might lead to ways of addressing suicidal tendencies, he says.
*Correction (11/1/11): The image in this story was changed after posting because the original did not display von Economo neurons.
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10 Comments
Add Comment“Having good empathetic abilities is certainly something that is advantageous in most situations but perhaps can have deleterious effects under very specific circumstances.”
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisOn average, the more dysfunctional the local and broader social environment (each in the present and over time), and the higher the density of von Economo neurons, then the higher the empathic distress ?
The original quotes around the first paragraph of my comment have disappeared ...
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this"““““““““"
Weird
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe quote marks in my last comment contained 5 or 6 quote marks that I cut and paste from the article.
"Homo homine lupus", "L'enfer c'est les autres",socialized living, sometimes just living among others, has its own risks, as probably our minds contain some kind of "apoptosis" mechanism, equal to the one in body cells that are no longer needed; in our minds, this self-destructive pulsions may sometimes enter just by internalizing guilt or aggressions from others. Keeping away from us toxic thoughts can be harder than imagined.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIf there's a greater density to a region of the brain linked with psychological pain, it stands to reason that intensifying those feelings would be difficult to live with especially if related to a sensitive person. May this be the issue with Amy Winehouse who represents many artists of the past who could not cope?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMarc,
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThere are at least two types of double quote marks and some will not display in a character set not containing them. To be sure to display quote marks, do not cut/paste them but rather directly type them in, which will use the proper character set that the displayed comment requires.
This study restricts itself to people from the loony bin. In this state all suicides must undergo an autopsy. It would be a simple matter to test the cells in the frontal lobe or wherever for von Economo neurons. Bodies submitted for cremation also undergo autopsy. Then it would be a simple matter to compare the brains of suicides to the brains of people submitted for cremation. This would compare suicides to the general population, not just crazies to crazies.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe thing you don't know is most suicides have one or more mental issues. They're not "basket cases" as some may think, or "loonies" lol. Some of them have depression, anxiety problems. Most of them have more than one mental problem, which could easily be prevented and controlled by medication combined with simply behavior strategies, like going to the gym periodically, etc.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNot so "easily," I'm afraid.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNote to self: new neuron to teach about in histology course....
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI am paying "blog calls" to each @scio12 attendee to say "Hi" and give your blog a shoutout on twitter. I look forward to meeting you in January!