Molecular Pathways, Neural Circuits and Emerging Therapies for Self-Injurious Behaviour
Abstract
Nonsuicidal self-injurious behaviour (SIB) is a debilitating manifestation of physical aggression commonly observed across neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, and genetic disorders. This behaviour arises from a multifactorial aetiology involving genetic predispositions, epigenetic modifications, neurotransmitter dysregulation, and environmental stressors. Dysregulation in dopaminergic, serotonergic, glutamatergic, and GABAergic systems has been implicated in the pathophysiology of SIB, alongside structural and functional abnormalities within fronto-limbic-striatal circuits. These disruptions impair key processes, such as emotional regulation, reward processing, and behavioural inhibition, contributing to the emergence and reinforcement of SIB. Advances in preclinical research using genetic, lesion-based, pharmacological, and environmental animal models have been instrumental in elucidating the molecular and neurocircuitry underpinnings of SIB. Emerging neuromodulation therapies targeting critical nodes within the fronto-limbic-striatal network, particularly deep brain stimulation, have shown promise in treating severe, refractory SIB and improving quality of life. This review integrates current evidence from clinical studies, molecular research, and preclinical models to provide a comprehensive overview of the pathophysiology of SIB and therapeutic approaches. By focusing on the molecular mechanisms and neural circuits underlying SIB, we highlight the translational potential of…
Read the paper
Related studies
- The neurocircuitry of addiction: an overview
- Gender Differences in Human Brain: A Review
- Stratified medicine for mental disorders
- The neurobiology of drug addiction: cross-species insights into the dysfunction and recovery of the prefrontal cortex
- Annual Research Review: DNA methylation as a mediator in the association between risk exposure and child and adolescent psychopathology
- Schizophrenia: The new etiological synthesis
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.