Attempted and completed suicides after subthalamic nucleus stimulation for Parkinson's disease

A higher than expected frequency of suicide has been reported among patients undergoing subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN DBS) for advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). We conducted a retrospective survey of 200 patients with PD who underwent STN DBS. Two patients (1%) committed suicide and four (2%) attempted suicide, despite clear motor improvements. Suicidal patients did not differ from non-suicidal patients with respect to age, disease duration or preoperative depressive and cognitive status. Suicidal behaviour was associated with postoperative depression and/or altered impulse regulation. Suicidal behaviour is a potential hazard of STN DBS, calling for careful preoperative assessment and close postoperative psychiatric and behavioural follow-up.