Neurocognitive functioning predicts suicidal behaviour in young people with affective disorders

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Psychology

Background:

• Neurocognitive impairment is a known risk factor for suicidal behavior in adults.
• The role of neurocognitive deficits in predicting suicidal behavior in young individuals with affective disorders remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether neurocognitive deficits predict ongoing or emergent suicidal behavior in young people diagnosed with affective disorders.
• To explore the relationship between neurocognitive function and suicidal behavior in an early intervention youth mental health setting.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 635 participants (aged 12-30 years) from early intervention youth mental health clinics were assessed.
• Standardized neurocognitive assessments were conducted at baseline, with clinical data extracted from subsequent visits.
• Follow-up averaged 476 days to track suicidal behavior during care.

Main Results:

• 104 participants (16%) reported suicidal behavior during the study period.
• Individuals exhibiting suicidal behavior demonstrated superior performance in 5 neurocognitive domains compared to clinical controls.
• Better general neurocognitive function was a significant predictor (OR=1.94) of suicidal behavior, even after controlling for other risk factors.

Conclusions:

• Contrary to hypotheses, enhanced neurocognitive functioning predicts suicidal behavior in young individuals with affective disorders.
• This contrasts with findings in adults with affective disorders and young people with psychotic disorders, where deficits are more common.
• The study suggests that neurocognitive function may not limit engagement with interventions for suicidal behavior in this specific youth population.