Cited by 88Suicide and Self-Harm StudiesNeural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Neuropsychological deficits in past suicide attempters with varying levels of depression severity

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Keilp, J. G., Beers, S. R., Burke, A. K., Melhem, N. M., Oquendo, M. A., Brent, D. A., Mann, J. J.·2014·Psychological Medicine

Abstract

Background: Our previous work identified deficits in interference processing and learning/memory in past suicide attempters who were currently depressed and medication-free. In this study, we extend this work to an independent sample studied at various stages of illness and treatment (mild symptoms, on average) to determine if these deficits in past suicide attempters are evident during a less severe clinical state. Method: A total of 80 individuals with a past history of major depression and suicide attempt were compared with 81 individuals with a history of major depression and no lifetime suicide attempts on a battery of neurocognitive measures assessing attention, memory, abstract/contingent learning, working memory, language fluency and impulse control. Results: Past attempters performed more poorly in attention, memory and working memory domains, but also in an estimate of pre-morbid intelligence. After correction for this estimate, tests that had previously distinguished past attempters – a computerized Stroop task and the Buschke Selective Reminding Test – remained significantly worse in attempters. In a secondary analysis, similar differences were found among those with the lowest levels of depression (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score <10), suggesting that these deficits may be trait markers independent of current symptomatology. Conclusions: Deficits in interference processing and learning/memory constitute an enduring defect in information processing that may contribute to poor adaptation, other higher-order cognitive impairments and risk for suicidal behavior.

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  • On average, suicide attempters exhibit less cognitive flexibility, more impulsivity, and worse memory and attention than non-attempters.

    “The bulk of the initial literature focused on traditional cognitive measures, including the Iowa Gambling Task, the Stroop, the Go/No-Go, or the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task; results indicated that, on average, suicide attempters exhibit less cognitive flexibility, more impulsivity, and worse memory and attention than non-attempters (50–52).”

    From New methods for assessing rapid changes in suicide risk (2021) · cites this paper as [51]

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  1. Spitzer RL Williams JBW Gibbon M First MB Instruction manual for the structured clinical interview for the DSM-IV (SCID-P) 1990 Washington, DC American Psychiatric Press

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Authors
Keilp, J. G., Beers, S. R., Burke, A. K., Melhem, N. M., Oquendo, M. A., Brent, D. A., & Mann, J. J.
Affiliations
  • New York State Psychiatric Institute (US)
  • University of Pittsburgh (US)
Corresponding author
Keilp, J. G.
Venue
Psychological Medicine
Published
2014-04-09
Volume
44
Issue
14
Pages
2965-2974
ISSN
  • 0033-2917 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-8978
OpenAlex
W2016565470
Cited by
88
References
43
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 1
FWCI
4.73
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Psychological Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (MH 62185, R10MH056390, MH-66371, -MH56612, MH56390, R10MH056612, P30MH055123, R01MH056612, P30MH066371, R01MH056390, P50MH062185, MH018951, MH 55123, T32MH018951)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
major depressive disorder, neuropsychological deficits, learning and memory, attention, working memory, Stroop task, trait markers, depression severity
MeSH terms
Adult, Attention, Cognition Disorders, Depressive Disorder, Major, Major Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Male, Memory, Middle Aged, Severity of Illness Index, Suicide, Attempted

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