Neurocognitive functions in inpatient suicide attempters and non-attempters: A comparison

Abstract

Introduction

According to many studies, suicide attempters, compared to healthy general population, exhibit some neurocognitive deficits, which are considered promising endophenotype of suicidal behavior disorder. A similar pattern of impairment is widespread in individuals affected by psychiatric disorders.

Objectives

To compare neurocognitive functions of hospitalized suicide attempters (A) with those of an inpatient group without history of suicidal behavior (NA), likewise affected by psychiatric disorders.

Aims

The purpose of the study is to evaluate if neurocognitive impairment is associated to suicidal behaviors, regardless of underlying psychiatric diagnosis.

Methods

The whole sample is composed of 70 adult psychiatric inpatients (34 males, 36 females), divided into two groups (A and NA) of 35 patients with diagnosis of Psychotic, affective and personality disorders. Neurocognitive functions were assessed using Tower of London Test (TOL), Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (MCST), Stroop Test (ST) and Attentional Matrices (AM). Differences between A and NA groups were analyzed using U-test of Mann–Whitney and cross tabulations, taking into account the three diagnostic areas.

Results

Statistically significant differences were found between A and NA with regard to the ability of categorization (MCST), planning, problem solving and inhibition of automatic response (TOL), which proved to be more preserved in A individuals. No significant differences were found on selective attention tasks (ST and AM).

Conclusions

These preliminary findings show statistically significant differences on executive functions between suicide attempters and psychiatric non-attempter individuals. Further research on larger samples is needed to investigate these associations.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.