PARTICIPANTS: The sample included 69 Iranian adolescents (38 females and 31 males) aged 15-19 years from diverse cultural and societal backgrounds across various regions of Iran. 3).
RESULTS: Data were analyzed using the Colaizzi method of phenomenological analysis (Praveena & Sasikumar, 2021), resulting in six main themes and 14 sub-themes. The main themes were: (1) overwhelming emotional pain, (2) influence of traditional cultural values, (3) desire for stronger connections, (4) openness to treatment, (5) wish to improve life, and (6) feeling trapped in the present. 4).
CONCLUSIONS: This study addresses gaps in prior research and aims to advance the understanding of adolescent suicide prevention. The authors emphasize the importance of family and relational contexts in understanding suicide risk among adolescents and highlight the roles of family therapy and peer support in developing prevention and intervention strategies for at-risk youth.
METHODS: Slitrk1-KD mice were induced by bilaterally injecting Slitrk1 siRNA into their dorsal striatum. Control mice received scrambled siRNA injection. Their TS-like tic behaviors, prepulse inhibition, sensory-motor function and dopamine-related behaviors were compared. We also compared dopamine and ACh levels in microdialysates, Slitrk protein and dopamine transporter levels, and numbers of Slitrk-positive ChIs and activated ChIs in the striatum between two mouse groups, and electrophysiological properties between Slitrk-positive and Slitrk-negative striatal ChIs.
RESULTS: Slitrk1-KD mice exhibit TS-like haloperidol-sensitive stereotypic tic behaviors, impaired prepulse inhibition, and delayed sensorimotor response compared with the control group. These TS-like characteristics correlate with lower striatal Slitrk1 protein levels, fewer Slitrk1-containing ChIs, and fewer activated ChIs in Slitrk1-KD mice. Based on their electrophysiological properties, Slitrk1-negative ChIs are less excitable than Slitrk1-positive ChIs. Slitrk1-KD mice have lower evoked acetylcholine and dopamine levels, higher tonic dopamine levels, and downregulated dopamine transporters in the striatum, increased apomorphine-induced climbing behaviors, and impaired methamphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion compared with controls.
INTERPRETATION: Slitrk1 is pivotal in maintaining striatal ChIs activity and subsequent dopaminergic transmission for normal motor functioning. Furthermore, conditional striatal Slitrk1-KD mice may serve as a translational modality with aspects of TS phenomenology. ANN NEUROL 2023.