Abstract
Background: Suicide represents a major health problem in the United States, and prediction
of suicide attempts is difficult. No structural neuroimaging studies have been done
to specifically examine findings in patients who have attempted suicide. The objective
of this study was to compare MRI findings in unipolar patients with and without a
history of a suicide attempt.
Methods: In this post hoc analysis, 20 unipolar subjects with a history of a suicide
attempt were matched by age and gender to unipolar subjects without a history of an
attempt. Subjects were also matched on parameters such as cardiovascular history,
electroconvulsive treatment history, and history of psychosis. Subjects with a history
of any neurologic condition were excluded. There were no significant differences in
age of onset of depression, number of episodes of depression, and Hamilton Depression
scores between the two groups. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
were rated using the Coffey and Boyko rating scales.
Results: Unipolar patients with a history of a suicide attempt demonstrated significantly
more subcortical gray matter hyperintensities compared with patients without such
a history.
Conclusions: Patients with abnormal MRI findings may be at higher risk for mood disorders
and suicide attempts because of disruption of critical neuroanatomic pathways. Gray
matter hyperintensities in the basal ganglia may be especially associated with risk
for suicide attempts.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
January 10,
2001
Received in revised form:
November 27,
2000
Received:
May 19,
2000
Identification
Copyright
© 2001 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
