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Yavuz BE, Turan S, Mutlu C, Çamlı ŞE. A comparison of the social cognition and neurocognitive characteristics of adolescents with suicide behavior, adolescent with depression and healthy controls. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2024; 54:785-797. [PMID: 38738815 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.13090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Deficits in neurocognition and social-cognition have been suggested to be an endophenotype for suicidal behavior. We aimed to compare the social-cognition and neurocognitive characteristics of adolescents diagnosed with depression with and without suicidal behavior and to investigate whether these functions predict suicide. METHOD Adolescents diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) with suicidal behavior (n = 42); MDD without suicidal behavior (n = 44) and age- and sex-matched controls (n = 43) were included. The University of Pennsylvania Computerized Neurobehavioral Test Battery and Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) were used to evaluate social-cognition and neurocognitive characteristics. RESULTS Several neurocognitive domain values of MDD groups, were significantly different from the control group. Neutral emotion recognition task (p = 0.025) and ASSQ scores were found to be significantly impaired in the patient groups (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that, only the increase in the Suicide Probability Scale score was found to be significant as a risk factor predicting suicide (p = 0.007, OR: 1.246). CONCLUSION While the neurocognitive and social-cognitive performances of adolescents with MDD were significantly lower than the control group, these performances in the two depression groups were similar. When the predictors of suicidal behavior were examined, it was found that only the increase in suicidal ideation scores predicted suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Ece Yavuz
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, TC Sağlık Bakanlığı Cizre Dr. Selahattin Cizrelioğlu Devlet Hastanesi, Şırnak, Turkey
| | - Serkan Turan
- Department ofChild and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Caner Mutlu
- Department ofChild and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Şafak Eray Çamlı
- Department ofChild and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
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Chen Q, Armstrong SE, Vakil F, Bridge JA, Keilp JG, Sheftall AH. Neurocognitive and clinical characteristics of elementary school-aged children with a history of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. J Affect Disord 2023; 339:318-324. [PMID: 37442443 PMCID: PMC10530242 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) in elementary school-aged youth have increased in recent years. Understanding the risks associated with childhood STBs is necessary for prevention efforts. METHODS The current study examined clinical and neurocognitive characteristics of a community sample of elementary school-aged children with (STB+) and without (STB-) a history of STBs. The final sample included 93 families with children average age of 7.8 years (SD = 1.3). Children in this sample were racially diverse, evenly split by sex, and most identified as non-Hispanic. Neurocognitive functioning was assessed using computerized behavioral measures. Child clinical characteristics were assessed using self-report measures and STB history was assessed using semi-structured interviews. RESULTS Of the 93 families, 64 STB- children and 29 STB+ children participated. On average, STB+ children were older, reported higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms, and were more likely to have a parental history of suicidal behavior (PH+). Regarding neurocognitive functioning, STB+ children exhibited lower raw scores for both the NIH Dimensional Change Card Sort Task (NIH-DCCS) and NIH Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test (NIH-Flanker). Multivariable regression analyses revealed raw scores for NIH-DCCS and NIH-Flanker, PH+ status, and child age were associated with childhood STBs. LIMITATIONS Prospective data is needed to confirm cross-sectional findings. CONCLUSIONS Poorer neurocognitive functioning and PH+ status may serve as risk markers for STBs in elementary school-aged children. Targeting prevention programming for these risks may reduce the likelihood of STBs in at-risk elementary school-aged youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Chen
- Columbia University, NY, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Fatima Vakil
- Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) North America, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey A Bridge
- Center for Suicide Prevention and Research, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States of America; Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry & Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - John G Keilp
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, NY, New York, United States of America
| | - Arielle H Sheftall
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America.
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Mohn-Haugen CR, Møller P, Mohn C, Larøi F, Teigset CM, Øie MG, Rund BR. Anomalous self-experiences and neurocognitive functioning in adolescents at risk for psychosis: Still no significant associations found between these two vulnerability markers. Compr Psychiatry 2023; 125:152400. [PMID: 37451231 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2023.152400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anomalous self-experiences (ASEs) and neurocognitive impairments are considered essential domains of vulnerability for developing psychotic disorders. However, little research exists of possible associations between ASEs and neurocognitive functions in individuals at-risk for psychosis. The interconnections between ASEs and neurocognitive impairments should therefore be clarified as much as possible, especially in young individuals at risk. No previous studies have investigated these two fundamental domains in non-help-seeking adolescents at risk for developing psychosis. METHODS This study is based on the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Adolescents (N = 48, 94% females, mean age = 15.3) were invited to participate after completing a 14-year-old survey distributed by MoBA. At-risk adolescents were selected based on the 0.4% highest scores on 19 items assessing both psychotic-like experiences and ASEs. Five specifically selected and formulated items measuring ASEs were computed to an ASEs total score. Neurocognitive functioning was assessed using the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery. RESULTS Regression analyses revealed no significant relationships between ASEs and any neurocognitive domain. CONCLUSIONS We did not find any significant associations between ASEs and neurocognitive functions in non-help-seeking adolescents at risk for psychotic disorders, which is in line with reports from other types of cohorts. Thus, ASEs and neurocognitive functions may be understood as two relatively separate domains that co-exist in at-risk states. These results underline the need for a wider scope when making predictions about future trajectories, e.g. the development of psychotic disorders. Including both ASEs and neurocognitive functioning in at-risk populations may increase the specificity of vulnerability criteria in this population and enhance our understanding of early psychosis psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Ranem Mohn-Haugen
- Research Department, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, 3004 Drammen, Norway; Department of Psychology, P. O. Box 1094 Blindern, University of Oslo, 0317, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Paul Møller
- Department of Mental Health Research and Development, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, 3004 Drammen, Norway
| | - Christine Mohn
- Norment Centre, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, P. O. Box 4956 Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway
| | - Frank Larøi
- Department of Psychology, P. O. Box 1094 Blindern, University of Oslo, 0317, Oslo, Norway; Psychology and Neuroscience of Cognition Research Unit, University of Liège, B-4000, Belgium
| | | | - Merete Glenne Øie
- Department of Psychology, P. O. Box 1094 Blindern, University of Oslo, 0317, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bjørn Rishovd Rund
- Research Department, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, 3004 Drammen, Norway; Department of Psychology, P. O. Box 1094 Blindern, University of Oslo, 0317, Oslo, Norway
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Albermann M, Emery S, Baumgartner N, Strumberger M, Erb S, Wöckel L, Müller-Knapp U, Rhiner B, Contin-Waldvogel B, Bachmann S, Schmeck K, Berger G, Häberling I. Executive functions and borderline personality features in adolescents with major depressive disorder. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:957753. [PMID: 37425294 PMCID: PMC10325791 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.957753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Executive functions (EF) consolidate during adolescence and are impaired in various emerging psychiatric disorders, such as pediatric Major Depressive Disorder (pMDD) and Borderline Personality Disorder. Previous studies point to a marked heterogeneity of deficits in EF in pMDD. We examined the hypothesis that deficits in EF in adolescents with pMDD might be related to comorbid Borderline Personality features (BPF). Methods We examined a sample of 144 adolescents (15.86 ± 1.32) diagnosed with pMDD. Parents rated their child's EF in everyday life with the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and BPF with the Impulsivity and Emotion Dysregulation Scale (IED-27). The adolescents completed equivalent self-rating measures. Self- and parent-ratings of the BRIEF scores were compared with paired t-Tests. Correlation and parallel mediation analyses, ICC, and multiple regression analyses were used to assess symptom overlap, parent-child agreement, and the influence of depression severity. Results Over the whole sample, none of the self- or parent-rated BRIEF scales reached a mean score above T > 65, which would indicate clinically impaired functioning. Adolescents tended to report higher impairment in EF than their parents. Depression severity was the strongest predictor for BPF scores, with Emotional Control predicting parent-rated BPF and Inhibit predicting self-rated BPF. Furthermore, the Behavioral Regulation Index, which includes EF closely related to behavioral control, significantly mediated the relationship between depression severity and IED-27 factors emotional dysregulation and relationship difficulties but not non-suicidal self-injuries. Conclusion On average, adolescents with depression show only subtle deficits in executive functioning. However, increased EF deficits are associated with the occurrence of comorbid borderline personality features, contributing to a more severe overall psychopathology. Therefore, training of executive functioning might have a positive effect on psychosocial functioning in severely depressed adolescents, as it might also improve comorbid BPF. Clinical trial registration www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03167307.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Albermann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sophie Emery
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Michael Strumberger
- Research Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospitals Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Suzanne Erb
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Lars Wöckel
- Research Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospitals Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Clienia Littenheid AG, Littenheid, Switzerland
| | | | - Bruno Rhiner
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Thurgau, Weinfelden, Switzerland
| | | | - Silke Bachmann
- University Clinic of the Martin-Luther University Halle – Wittenberg’s Medical Faculty, Halle, Germany
- Département de Psychiatrie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Klaus Schmeck
- Research Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospitals Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gregor Berger
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Häberling
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
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de la Barrera U, Montoya-Castilla I, Pérez-Albéniz A, Lucas-Molina B, Fonseca-Pedrero E. Mental Health Difficulties Related to Suicidal Behavior in Adolescents: The Moderating Role of Self-Esteem. Arch Suicide Res 2022; 26:716-730. [PMID: 33027593 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2020.1823918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective was to analyze the moderating effect of self-esteem on the relationship between mental health difficulties and suicidal behavior in adolescence. METHOD The sample was composed of 1,790 Spanish adolescents (M = 15.70 years; SD = 1.26; 53.7% girls) through a stratified random sampling by cluster at classroom level. The participants completed questionnaires about emotional symptoms, behavioral problems, peer relationship difficulties, hyperactivity, suicidal behavior, and self-esteem. RESULTS The results evidenced gender differences, showing that girls tend to have more emotional symptoms (t = -15.27; p ≤ .001; d = -0.71), more difficulties in peer relationship (t=-2.49; p = .013; d = -0.12) and less self-esteem (t = 12.15; p ≤ .001; d = 0.57), as well as more suicidal behaviors (t = -5.36; p ≤ .001; d = -0.25) than boys. It is also noted that emotional and behavioral difficulties influence suicidal behavior (R2 = 0.35; ΔF = 197.42; p ≤ .001). In addition, self-esteem appeared to act as a protective factor, buffering the relationship between emotional and behavioral problems and suicidal behavior (R2 = 0.39; F = 376.92; p ≤ .001). CONCLUSIONS Adolescents who present mental health difficulties might commit suicidal behavior if they have an unfavorable attitude toward themselves. However, the risk of committing suicidal behavior decreases if their attitude toward themselves is favorable. Thus, the development of self-esteem may be included in intervention programs for the prevention of suicidal behavior.HIGHLIGHTSGirls present more suicidal behaviors and less self-esteem than boys.Mental health difficulties influence the appearance of suicidal behavior.Self-esteem moderates the relationship between emotional problems and suicidal behavior.
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Huber RS, Sheth C, Renshaw PF, Yurgelun-Todd DA, McGlade EC. Suicide Ideation and Neurocognition Among 9- and 10-Year Old Children in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. Arch Suicide Res 2022; 26:641-655. [PMID: 32985363 PMCID: PMC8004531 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2020.1818657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE During the past decade, the pediatric suicide rate has nearly tripled. Yet, little is known about suicide behavior (SB) in children. Identification of risk factors associated with SB during childhood may be critical to preventing future attempts. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between neurocognitive performance and suicide ideation (SI) in children. METHOD The present study utilized baseline data from 11,875 participants in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, a longitudinal study that follows 9- and 10-year-old children through late adolescence to examine factors that influence developmental trajectories. Suicidality was assessed by the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorder and Schizophrenia (KSADS) suicide module completed by the parent. Neurocognitive ability was assessed using the NIH Toolbox Cognition measures administered to the youth. RESULTS Children with a history of SI reported by their parent or concordant parent and youth report of SI demonstrated lower performance on the NIH Toolbox Picture Sequence Memory Test compared to children without SI. The difference in performance on the memory task remained significant when including demographic characteristics, family history of suicide, and internalizing symptoms in the model as covariates. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify decreased episodic memory in children with SI. These findings are similar to results from adult and adolescent studies which have reported decreased memory performance among suicide attempters. Deficits in episodic memory may impact a child's ability to problem-solve and generate potential future outcomes, which may increase the risk for SB. Early identification of memory deficits in children may inform suicide prevention and intervention efforts.Highlights6% of parents and children reported a history of active suicide ideation in children.Children with a history of suicide ideation had lower episodic memory performance.Early identification of memory deficits may inform suicide intervention efforts.
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Layrón Folgado JE, Conchado Peiró A, Marco JH, Barrigón ML, Baca-García E, Pérez Rodríguez S. Trajectory Analysis of Suicidal Ideation in Spanish College Students Using Ecological Momentary Assessment. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:853464. [PMID: 35432031 PMCID: PMC9008881 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.853464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Suicide is a preventable death in young people. It is well known that suicide behavior is a multicausal phenomenon. However, suicidal ideation (SI) commonly underlies suicide, and Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) can help us to better characterize it and its risk and protective factors in the short term. We aimed, first, to investigate the estimated prevalence and trajectories of SI in a community sample of Spanish college students using an EMA methodology and, second, explore the associations between risk and protective factors and SI categorized as moderate or low. Materials and Methods A total of 737 participants followed the EMA during a period of 6 months. We estimated the prevalence and trajectories of SI and the associations between depressive symptoms, positive and negative affect, thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, cognitive reappraisal, emotional suppression, and purpose in life with the MEmind smartphone App. SI was assessed 14 times during this period. Results Twenty-eight participants referred to SI at least once in longitudinal assessments. We found a lack of curvature and, thus, a relatively stable trajectory of SI. Two groups of latent dimensions were observed related to risk and protective factors of SI. One latent dimension of the risk factors (higher levels of thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, depressive symptoms, negative affect, and emotional suppression) best represented the group with moderate levels of SI, and a second latent dimension of protective variables (positive affect, cognitive reappraisal, and purpose in life) best represented the group with lower levels of SI. Discussion These findings may indicate that students with a sense of having a life worth living, in addition to having the ability to reevaluate their negative beliefs, are less likely to experience high levels of SI. Therefore, purpose in life would be a protective factor against the presence of SI.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Conchado Peiró
- Department of Statistics and Applied Operations Research and Quality, Polytechnic University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - José H. Marco
- Department of Personality, Evaluation and Psychological Treatment, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - María Luisa Barrigón
- Department of Psychiatry, Jiménez Díaz Foundation Hospital, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Virgen del Rocio, Seville, Spain
| | - Enrique Baca-García
- Department of Psychiatry, Jiménez Díaz Foundation Hospital, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Rey Juan Carlos, Mostoles, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, General Hospital of Villalba, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Infanta Elena, Valdemoro, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Madrid Autonomous University, Madrid, Spain
- CIBERSAM (Centro de Investigacion en Salud Mental), Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Psicología, Universidad Catolica del Maule, Talca, Chile
- Department of Psychiatry, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nîmes, Nîmes, France
| | - Sandra Pérez Rodríguez
- Department of Personality, Evaluation and Psychological Treatment, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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Risk and Protective Factors in Adolescent Suicidal Behaviour: A Network Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19031784. [PMID: 35162805 PMCID: PMC8834911 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Given that death by suicide continues to rank among the top three causes of death during adolescence, new psychological models may contribute critical insight towards understanding the complex interactions between risk and protective factors in suicidal behaviour. The main objective of this study was to analyse the psychological network structure of suicidal behaviour and putative risk and protective factors in school-aged adolescents. Methods: Stratified random cluster sampling was performed. The final sample comprised 1790 students (53.7% female, M = 15.7 years, SD = 1.26). Instruments were administered to assess suicidal behaviour, emotional and behavioural difficulties, prosocial behaviour, subjective well-being, self-esteem, depressive symptomatology, academic performance, socio-economic status, school engagement, bullying, and cyberbullying. Results: In the estimated psychological network, the node with the highest strength was depressive symptomatology, and that with the highest expected influence value was bullying. Suicidal behaviour was positively connected to symptoms of depression and behavioural problems. In addition, suicidal behaviour was negatively connected to self-esteem and personal well-being. The results of the stability analysis indicated that the network was accurately estimated. Conclusions: Suicidal behaviour can be conceptualised as a dynamic, complex system of cognitive, emotional, and affective characteristics. New psychological models allow us to analyse and understand human behaviour from a new perspective, suggesting new forms of conceptualisation, evaluation, intervention, and prevention.
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Fernández-Sevillano J, Alberich S, Zorrilla I, González-Ortega I, López MP, Pérez V, Vieta E, González-Pinto A, Saíz P. Cognition in Recent Suicide Attempts: Altered Executive Function. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:701140. [PMID: 34366931 PMCID: PMC8339467 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.701140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Neuropsychological alterations can lead to inaccurate perception, interpretation, and response to environmental information, which could be a risk factor for suicide. Methods: Ninety-six subjects were recruited from the Psychiatry Department of the Araba University Hospital-Santiago, including 20 patients with a recent attempt and diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) according to DSM-V, 33 MDD patients with history of attempted suicide, 23 non-attempter MDD patients, and 20 healthy controls. All participants underwent a clinical interview and neuropsychological assessment on the following cognitive domains: working memory, processing speed, decision-making, executive function, and attention. Backward multiple regressions were performed adjusting for significant confounding variables. For group comparisons, ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests were performed with a p < 0.05 significance level. Results: The patient groups did not differ regarding severity of depression and stressful events in the last 6 months. In comparison to healthy controls, depressed patients with lifetime suicide attempts had more general trauma (p = 0.003), emotional abuse (p = 0.003), emotional negligence (p = 0.006), and physical negligence (p = 0.009), and depressed patients with recent suicide attempts had experienced more child sexual abuse (p = 0.038). Regarding neuropsychological assessment, all patient groups performed significantly worse than did healthy controls in processing speed, decision-making, and attention. Comparisons between patient groups indicated that recent suicide attempters had poorer performance on executive function in comparison to both depressed lifetime attempters and depressed non-attempters (B = 0.296, p = 0.019, and B = 0.301, p = 0.028, respectively). Besides, women with recent attempts had slightly better scores on executive function than males. Regarding the rest of the cognitive domains, there were no significant differences between groups. Conclusion: Executive function performance is altered in recent suicide attempts. As impaired executive function can be risk factor for suicide, preventive interventions on suicide should focus on its assessment and rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Fernández-Sevillano
- Department of Neuroscience, Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, Bilbao, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Bioaraba Research Institute, Araba University Hospital, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Alberich
- Department of Psychiatry, Bioaraba Research Institute, Araba University Hospital, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Iñaki Zorrilla
- Department of Neuroscience, Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, Bilbao, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Bioaraba Research Institute, Araba University Hospital, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Itxaso González-Ortega
- Department of Psychiatry, Bioaraba Research Institute, Araba University Hospital, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - María Purificación López
- Department of Neuroscience, Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, Bilbao, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Bioaraba Research Institute, Araba University Hospital, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Víctor Pérez
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
- Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM) Department of Psychiatry, Institut de Neuropsiquiatria i Addicions, Hospital del Mar, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Vieta
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
- Hospital Clinic, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Institut D'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana González-Pinto
- Department of Neuroscience, Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, Bilbao, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Bioaraba Research Institute, Araba University Hospital, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Saíz
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad de Oviedo, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias, Servicio de Salud del Principado de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
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