Researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine have identified biomarkers in women that can predict who is more likely to have suicidal thoughts with 82 percent accuracy.
The study compared the app-based questionnaire answers of over 50 women with psychiatric diagnoses combined with blood-based biomarker tests to get the results.
Dr. Alexander Niculescu at the IU School of Medicine says historically, women have been understudied when it comes to suicide risk and biology.
"We know clinically that compared to men while they have a lower rate of completion, due to the less violent means used, they have more frequent and distressing suicidal ideation," Niculescu says.
Niculescu and his team conducted similar research last year focusing on men. The new results found significant biomarker differences in women that highlight the importance of gender specific diagnosis and treatment.
"It provides insights into how one can tailor diagnosis and treatment, preventative treatment, for women who are at risk of suicide."
The team hopes to expand their work, which is part of a greater effort to use genetics and biomarkers in research studies, to more at risk women.