Suicide attempts after subthalamic nucleus stimulation for Parkinson's disease.
A higher risk of suicidal attempt after subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) for Parkinson's disease (PD) has been consistently reported. We retrospectively analyzed 3 PD patients with suicide attempts after STN-DBS. All patients had normal pre- and immediate postoperative psychopathological and cognitive evaluations, with STN-DBS yielding a good motor benefit. Levodopa medication was markedly reduced. Albeit there was a significant reduction in dopaminergic medication, there was also a considerable time lag to suicide attempt. Impulsive behavior could have played a higher role, going unnoticed in punctual psychopathological examinations. STN-DBS patients need a closer postoperative psychiatric and behavioral follow-up.
Rodrigues
Ana M
AM
Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Rosas
Maria J
MJ
Gago
Miguel F
MF
Sousa
Cláudia
C
Fonseca
Rosália
R
Linhares
Paulo
P
Basto
Margarida A
MA
Sousa
Graça
G
Garrett
Carolina
C
Vaz
Rui
R
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D020531:Subthalamic Nucleus / Q000502:physiology*; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D007980:Levodopa