Self-Referential Thinking, Suicide, and Function of the Cortical Midline Structures and Striatum in Mood Disorders: Possible Implications for Treatment Studies of Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Bipolar Depression
Depression Research and Treatment January 1, 2012 R. Marchand, William 23 citations
Bipolar depression often resists treatment and commonly involves anxiety and elevated suicide risk, creating a need for adjunctive therapies that address both mood and suicide-related thoughts. Mindfulness-based interventions show promise, and this paper reviews evidence to support their study in bipolar disorder. The review finds that cortical midline structures (CMS) link abnormal self-referential thinking to emotional dysregulation in mood disorders, and that CMS and striatal dysfunction may underlie suicide-related thoughts and behaviors. Combining mindfulness interventions targeting self-referential thinking with functional imaging of CMS and striatal function could clarify the neurobiological mechanisms of these treatments.