Reduced Loss Aversion and Impaired Response Inhibition Distinguish Suicide Attempters

Suicide remains a critical global health concern, and a previous suicide attempt currently stands as the only reliable predictor of future self-harm [1]. While the presence of mental disorders is a known risk factor, the transition from suicidal ideation to lethal action is often mediated by complex psychological drivers such as impulsivity, aggression, and intense mental pain [2, 3]. Neuroimaging has identified structural and functional brain alterations in depressed patients with suicidal histories, yet these findings often lack the granular specificity required for individual clinical risk stratification [4]. Clinicians frequently struggle to identify which patients are at the highest risk for reattempting suicide following hospital discharge, as standard interventions often fail to significantly reduce reattempt rates [5]. A recent study now investigates how specific decision-making mechanisms, including sensitivity to loss and reward processing, may differentiate subgroups of suicide attempters.