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A meta-analysis of neuropsychological markers of vulnerability to suicidal behavior in mood disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 September 2013

S. Richard-Devantoy ,
M. T. Berlim  and
F. Jollant
S. Richard-Devantoy
Affiliation:
McGill University, Department of Psychiatry and Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Montréal (Québec), Canada Laboratoire de Psychologie des Pays de la Loire EA 4638, Université de Nantes et Angers, France
M. T. Berlim
Affiliation:
McGill University, Department of Psychiatry and Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Montréal (Québec), Canada
F. Jollant*
Affiliation:
McGill University, Department of Psychiatry and Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Montréal (Québec), Canada
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr F. Jollant, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Frank B. Common Building, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Montréal (Québec), H4H 1R3, Canada. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Background

Suicidal behavior results from a complex interplay between stressful events and vulnerability factors, including cognitive deficits. However, it is not clear which cognitive tests may best reveal this vulnerability. The objective was to identify neuropsychological tests of vulnerability to suicidal acts in patients with mood disorders.

Method

A search was made of Medline, EMBASE and PsycINFO databases, and article references. A total of 25 studies (2323 participants) met the selection criteria. A total of seven neuropsychological tests [Iowa gambling task (IGT), Stroop test, trail making test part B, Wisconsin card sorting test, category and semantic verbal fluencies, and continuous performance test] were used in at least three studies to be analysed.

Results

IGT and category verbal fluency performances were lower in suicide attempters than in patient controls [respectively, g = –0.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) –0.65 to –0.29 and g = –0.32, 95% CI –0.60 to –0.04] and healthy controls, with no difference between the last two groups. Stroop performance was lower in suicide attempters than in patient controls (g = 0.37, 95% CI 0.10–0.63) and healthy controls, with patient controls scoring lower than healthy controls. The four other tests were altered in both patient groups versus healthy controls but did not differ between patient groups.

Conclusions

Deficits in decision-making, category verbal fluency and the Stroop interference test were associated with histories of suicidal behavior in patients with mood disorders. Altered value-based and cognitive control processes may be important factors of suicidal vulnerability. These tests may also have the potential of guiding therapeutic interventions and becoming part of future systematic assessment of suicide risk.

Keywords

Cognitive controldecision makingmood disordersneuropsychologysuicidal behaviourvulnerability
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 44 , Issue 8 , June 2014 , pp. 1663 - 1673
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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