Unveiling the neural signatures of adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury behavior: an fNIRS study

TL;DR

This study uses brain imaging to find neural patterns in adolescents who engage in self-harm, suggesting that brain activity in a specific region is linked to self-injury behaviors.

Contribution

Identifies a neural signature in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex associated with non-suicidal self-injury in adolescents.

Findings

Adolescents with NSSI showed higher DLPFC activation compared to healthy controls.

DLPFC activation correlated with social communication and emotional expression in NSSI behaviors.

Improving social and emotional skills may help reduce NSSI behaviors.

Abstract

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behavior among adolescents is a significant public health issue, which brings a range of adverse consequences. However, the specific mechanisms underlying this behavior remain unclear. The current study aimed to investigate the hemodynamic activation characteristics of adolescents with NSSI using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and to explore the correlation of cortical activation with NSSI behavior.

Eighteen adolescents with NSSI behavior and 24 healthy controls (HCs) participated in this study. Cortical activation (frontal and temporal lobe hemodynamics) were examined using fNIRS. Self-harm frequency, Self-harm functions, and personality traits were assessed by OSI, NSSI - AT, and EPQ respectively.

The Δβ value in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) area of the NSSI group was significantly higher than that of the HC group, and the activation level of the DLPFC showed a strong positive correlation with the social communication and the expression subscale of the NSSI-AT.

The specific manifestation of DLPFC cortical activation in adolescents may serve as a candidate neural correlate for NSSI behavior. Targeted improvement of individual social skills and emotional expression abilities is expected to reduce NSSI behaviors.

Figures