BACKGROUND: Bipolar patients have a higher risk of suicide when compared with the general population and other psychiatric disorders. The aim of this article is to review the social-demographic, clinical and neuroanatomical aspects of suicidal behavior in bipolar patients. METHODS A non-systematic review of literature through PsycoInfo, Lilacs, Medline and PubMed eletronic databases was conducted, using the keywords: "suicide attempt", "suicidal behavior", "suicide" "bipolar disorder", "suicide risk factor," "neuroimaging", and "suicide neurobiology." RESULTS: Several clinical and sociodemographics characteristics have been associated with suicide attempts in bipolar patients, but results are conflicting. Regarding to neuroimaging, the data are rare, and the results are inconsistent, with reports of white matter hyperintensities and changes in structure and function of the prefrontal cortex. DISCUSSION: Given that suicide is a potentially preventable cause of death, the understanding of neurobiological and clinical correlates of suicidal behavior can be useful in reducing rates of attempt suicide in bipolar patients.
Attempt suicide; suicidal behavior; bipolar disorder; suicide risk factor; neuroimaging
