Figure 2.

Putative immunological mechanisms of suicide associated with DBS. Surgical implantation of neuroelectrodes might cause immunoreactivity against these devices. Focal activation of recruited peripheral macrophages and brain resident microglia and astrocytes (glial scarring) in response to the electrodes triggers the release of inflammatory mediators, such as IL-1, IL-6, CCL2, NOX2, and TNF-α, resulting in neuroinflammation and subsequent aggravation of psychosocial risk factors for suicide.