In vivo probing of purinergic P2X7 as a potential biomarker for suicide risk: a hypothesis - Takeaways - MDSpire
Coming Soon: Introducing MDSpire News. Learn more
Conexiant’s news site is now MDSpire News. Learn more

Exploring the Role of Purinergic P2X7 as a Potential Biomarker for Assessing Suicide Risk: A Theoretical Framework

  • By

  • Henriëtte D. Heering

  • Lin Zhang

  • Dick Swaab

  • Elsmarieke van de Giessen

  • Christiaan H. Vinkers

  • Lot D. de Witte

  • Sander C.J. Verfaillie

  • June 24, 2026

Share

  • 1

    Suicide claims over 720,000 lives annually, with many more individuals experiencing suicidal ideation and attempts.

  • 2

    Childhood adversity is linked to increased vulnerability for psychological pain, a significant driver of suicidal ideation.

  • 3

    The purinergic pathway, particularly the P2X7 receptor, may play a role in suicidality through neuroinflammation and dysregulation.

  • 4

    Dysregulation of the purinergic pathway is associated with increased risk for suicidal behavior in various mental disorders.

  • 5

    In vivo PET imaging can visualize the purinergic pathway, potentially aiding in biomarker development for suicidality.

Original Source(s)

In vivo probing of purinergic P2X7 as a potential biomarker for suicide risk: a hypothesis

  • by Henriëtte D. Heering, Lin Zhang, Dick Swaab, Elsmarieke van de Giessen, Christiaan H. Vinkers, Lot D. de Witte, Sander C.J. Verfaillie

  • June 24, 2026

Related Content

Reframing Veteran Suicide Prevention—From Prevalence to Comparative Risk Trends

Medical Oddities: Sheep wool gets into bone repair

From sheep wool to space guts, cannabis beats to tea: science took a wonderfully weird turn. 

Evaluation of a hybrid asynchronous-synchronous delivery model for family intervention in psychosis: the psychosis REACH program