Descripción anátomo-funcional de un suicidio por consumo adictivo de inhalables, estudio de caso post-mortem

Abstract

Introduction: the evidence mentions that the abuse of inhalants can cause alterations in the reuptake of dopamine, fundamentally in the mesolimbic system, the responsible structure of reward system and consequently of the addiction. Objective: the objective of the research was to investigate the relationship between the consumption of inhalants and suicide, through a retrospective post-mortem analysis. Method: the method used was a case study, with a qualitative approach of descriptive design, evaluated through the use of psychological autopsy and an in-depth interview, of the particular case of a suicide victim by hanging, of a 20-year-old male, consumer of inhalants. Results: thus, neuroanatomical alterations in the prefrontal cortex (ventromedial and orbitolateral), anterior cingulate cortex, basolateral nucleus of the amygdala, subthalamic nucleus and nucleus accumbens were verified, which, probably, could have had some influence on their suicidal behavior. Discussion and conclusion: altered structures directly and indirectly affect the mesolimbic system, and are related to low tolerance to failure, persistence in actions aimed at minimizing the results of social behaviors, ideation and magical thoughts in relation to their religious beliefs, and verbal disinhibition, which, probably, may have influenced on his suicidal behavior.