Cited by 350Suicide and Self-Harm StudiesNeural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesTreatment of Major Depression

Neuropsychological function and suicidal behavior: attention control, memory and executive dysfunction in suicide attempt

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Keilp, J. G., Gorlyn, M., Russell, M., Oquendo, M. A., Burke, A. K., Harkavy-Friedman, J., Mann, J. J.·2013·Psychological Medicine

Abstract

Background: Executive dysfunction, distinct from other cognitive deficits in depression, has been associated with suicidal behavior. However, this dysfunction is not found consistently across samples. Method: Medication-free subjects with DSM-IV major depressive episode (major depressive disorder and bipolar type I disorder) and a past history of suicidal behavior ( n = 72) were compared to medication-free depressed subjects with no history of suicidal behavior ( n = 80) and healthy volunteers ( n = 56) on a battery of tests assessing neuropsychological functions typically affected by depression (motor and psychomotor speed, attention, memory) and executive functions reportedly impaired in suicide attempters (abstract/contingent learning, working memory, language fluency, impulse control). Results: All of the depressed subjects performed worse than healthy volunteers on motor, psychomotor and language fluency tasks. Past suicide attempters, in turn, performed worse than depressed non-attempters on attention and memory/working memory tasks [a computerized Stroop task, the Buschke Selective Reminding Task (SRT), the Benton Visual Retention Test (VRT) and an N-back task] but not on other executive function measures, including a task associated with ventral prefrontal function (Object Alternation). Deficits were not accounted for by current suicidal ideation or the lethality of past attempts. A small subsample of those using a violent method in their most lethal attempt showed a pattern of poor executive performance. Conclusions: Deficits in specific components of attention control, memory and working memory were associated with suicidal behavior in a sample where non-violent attempt predominated. Broader executive dysfunction in depression may be associated with specific forms of suicidal behavior, rather than suicidal behavior per se .

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  • Memory deficits in suicide attempters include impaired working memory and long-term memory and a shift from specific to more general autobiographical memory.

    “Memory deficits in suicide attempters include impaired working memory and long-term memory and a shift from specific to more general autobiographical memory (18, 23).”

    From A brain-centric model of suicidal behavior (2020) · cites this paper as [23]

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  1. First MB Spitzer RL Gibbon M Williams JBW Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, Research Version 1997 New York State Psychiatric Institute New York, NY Non-Patient Edition (SCID-I/NP)
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Authors
Keilp, J. G., Gorlyn, M., Russell, M., Oquendo, M. A., Burke, A. K., Harkavy-Friedman, J., & Mann, J. J.
Affiliations
Columbia University Irving Medical Center (US)
Corresponding author
Keilp, J. G.
Venue
Psychological Medicine
Published
2012-07-10
Volume
43
Issue
3
Pages
539-551
ISSN
  • 0033-2917 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-8978
OpenAlex
W2021112574
Cited by
350
References
64
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 33 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 35 · 2020: 29 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 45 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 29 · 2013: 12
FWCI
23.64
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Psychological Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (MH62155, R01MH059710, R01MH062155, MH 59710, P50MH062185)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
Keywords
suicide attempts, executive dysfunction, attentional control, working memory, memory, major depressive disorder, bipolar I disorder, neuropsychological deficits, Stroop task, Benton Visual Retention Test, n-back task, language fluency, psychomotor speed, violent suicide methods, suicidal ideation
MeSH terms
Adult, Attention, Bipolar Disorder, Cognition Disorders, Depressive Disorder, Major, Major Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Male, Memory, Neuropsychological Tests, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Psychomotor Performance, Risk Factors, Suicide, Attempted, Violence, Models, Statistical, Young Adult, Executive Function, Suicidal Ideation

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