Leo Sher, M.D.

A large suicidology conference entitled “The 20^th European Symposium on Suicide and Suicidal Behavior (ESSSB20)” took place on August 28-31, 2024, in the “Auditorium Della Tecnica” Convention Center in Rome, Italy. Prof. Dr. Marco Sarchiapone (Italy) was the President of the ESSSB20. The ESSSB20 Scientific Committee consisted of scholars from different countries including Prof. Dr. Maurizio Pompili (Italy) and Prof. Dr. Leo Sher (USA). Hundreds of experts in suicidology from all over the world participated in the ESSSB20. The conference was well-organized and well-managed.

A symposium entitled, “Psychobiology of gender differences in suicidal behavior” took place on August 29, 2024. Prof. Dr. Leo Sher (USA) was the Chair of this Symposium. Prof. Dr. Maurizio Pompili (Italy) was the Co-Chair of this Symposium. Prof. Dr. Xenia Gonda (Hungary), Prof. Dr. Gianluca Serafini (Italy), Prof. Dr. Jussi Jokinen (Sweden), and Prof. Dr. Leo Sher (USA) were the Speakers.

Prof. Dr. Xenia Gonda (Hungary) presented a talk, “The overlooked aspects and underpinnings of suicidal behavior in women.” Her presentation was focused on the gender gap and gender paradox in suicidal behavior. Prof. Dr. Gonda reviewed neurobiological contributors to female suicidal behavior, discussed specific and differential aspects of suicide in women, as well as female-specific risk and protective factors. Recommendations for recognizing and screening for suicide risk in women, as well as treatment and prevention of suicidal behavior in women were summarized.

Prof. Dr. Gianluca Serafini (Italy) gave a talk, “Gender differences in suicidal behavior according to affective temperaments and personality traits.” With regard to temperamental traits, individuals who made suicide attempts scored higher on harm-avoidance and lower on persistence and novelty-seeking, while with regard to character dimension, patients who attempted suicide scored significantly lower on self-directedness and cooperativeness. Prof. Dr. Serafini suggested that suicide risk may be significantly influenced by affective temperaments and certain personality traits. He also suggested that clinicians should evaluate affective temperament, personality traits and their link with emotional dysregulation as they may have a crucial role in the prediction of suicidal behavior in clinical practice.

Prof. Dr. Jussi Jokinen (Sweden) presented a talk, “Violent suicide attempt method: gender differences, outcome and biomarkers of high-risk phenotype.” Men use more often violent methods than women and have a more dramatically shortened life expectancy after the first suicide attempt. Violent behavior and aggression as a trait have been associated with the choice of a violent suicide attempt method. Prof. Dr. Jokinen discussed the neurobiology of violent behavior including the role of the serotonergic system, the involvement of neuroinflammation, and epigenetic changes in the corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) gene.

Prof. Dr. Leo Sher (USA) gave a talk, “Psychoneuroendocrinology of gender differences in suicidal behavior: focus on testosterone.” Considerable evidence suggests that testosterone may be involved in the neurobiology of mood disorders and suicidal behavior. Most but not all investigations of the relationship between testosterone and suicidality in men found relations between testosterone and suicidal behavior. Prof. Dr. Sher discussed possible mechanisms that can explain a link between testosterone function and the pathophysiology of suicidality.

The audience met presentations with great interest. Every presentation generated several questions and was accompanied by a dynamic discussion.