The relationship between event-related potential components and suicide risk in major depressive disorder

• Published in: Journal of psychiatric research Vol. 175; pp. 89 - 95
• Main Authors: Zhou, Xiaobo, Lin, Zhonghua, Liu, Jingwen, Xiang, Minjing, Deng, Xia, Zou, Zhili
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2024
• Subjects: Adult; Cognitive impairment; Depressive Disorder, Major - physiopathology; Electroencephalography; Event-related potential; Evoked Potentials - physiology; Female; Humans; Major depressive disorder; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Assessment; Suicide - statistics & numerical data; Suicide risk; Young Adult; Event-related potential; Suicide risk; Major depressive disorder; Cognitive impairment
• ISSN: 0022-3956; 1879-1379; 1879-1379
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.05.014

Suicide is a serious global issue, with major depressive disorder (MDD) being a significant risk factor for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. There is an urgent need to determine whether event-related potential components (ERPs) could be used as an indicator to assess suicidal risk. From 2020 to 2023, 258 participants in total were recruited into the study. All participants were divided into four groups: MDD patients at high (n = 66), moderate (n = 66), and low risk (n = 56) of suicide, and healthy controls (HCs)(n = 70). Each participant provided socio-demographic information and underwent evaluations using clinical psychological scales such as 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Health Questionnaire-9 items (PHQ-9), and Nurses' Global Assessment of Suicide Risk (NGASR). The auditory brainstem response test and ERP examination were performed for all subjects. Our study found that the amplitude of P2–P3 and N2–P3 was significantly reduced in MDD patients at moderate and high risk of suicide, and these were negatively correlated with NGASR total score (all P < 0.05). Point B latency was positively correlated with NGASR total score (P < 0.05). Patients with MDD patients at low risk for suicide had a lower A-B amplitude compared to HCs (P < 0.05). No differences were found in MMN or P50 components between the four groups (all P > 0.05). MDD patients at higher risk of suicide exhibited severe impairment of cognitive function. ERP indices, such as the amplitude of P2–P3 and N2–P3, could be associated with the risk of suicide in MDD patients. •Compared to HCs, MDD patients at moderate and high risk for suicide had a lower P2–P3b amplitude and NGASR total score.•Compared to HCs, MDD patients at moderate and high risk for suicide had a lower N2–P3 amplitude and NGASR total score.•Compared to HCs, MDD patients at low risk for suicide had a lower A-B amplitude.•Point B latency was positively correlated with NGASR total score.