Since prof. Mary Åsberg (Åsberg et al., 1976) in 1976 discovered alterations in neurotransmitter systems in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients with suicidal behavior many studies focusing on the problem of suicidality were done. The main focus of interest of this research are the three major neurotransmitter systems that may play a role in suicidal behavior: noradrenergic, serotonergic and dopaminergic system (Nordström et al., 1994).

It is supposed that in people with suicidal behavior the main changes take place in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which is the center of executive processes of thinking. The deficit of this function in PFC might be associated with alterations of the certain neurotransmitter systems in the central nervous system (CNS). Healthy brain is able to find an alternative way how to solve the difficult life events or situations, but “the suicidal“ brain with the deficit of  the function in PFC is not able to find a reason why not to commit suicide (Underwood, 2011).

According to WHO data around 800 000 people worldwide commit suicide every year (WHO, 2014). Therefore the possibility to identify potential biomarkers of suicidal behavior is a very challenging issue that might help in future identification of patients with suicidal behavior via simple blood test.