title: Neuropsychological deficits in past suicide attempters with varying levels of depression severity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Our previous work identified deficits in interference processing and learning/memory in past suicide attempters who were currently depressed and medication-free. In this study, we extend this work to an independent sample studied at various stages of illness and treatment (mild symptoms, on average) to determine if these deficits in past suicide attempters are evident during a less severe clinical state.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 80 individuals with a past history of major depression and suicide attempt were compared with 81 individuals with a history of major depression and no lifetime suicide attempts on a battery of neurocognitive measures assessing attention, memory, abstract/contingent learning, working memory, language fluency and impulse control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Past attempters performed more poorly in attention, memory and working memory domains, but also in an estimate of pre-morbid intelligence. After correction for this estimate, tests that had previously distinguished past attempters - a computerized Stroop task and the Buschke Selective Reminding Test - remained significantly worse in attempters. In a secondary analysis, similar differences were found among those with the lowest levels of depression (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score <10), suggesting that these deficits may be trait markers independent of current symptomatology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Deficits in interference processing and learning/memory constitute an enduring defect in information processing that may contribute to poor adaptation, other higher-order cognitive impairments and risk for suicidal behavior.
authors: Department of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology,New York State Psychiatric Institute,New York, NY,USA.
authors: J G
authors: JG
authors: Keilp
authors: Department of Psychiatry,University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine,Pittsburgh, PA,USA.
authors: S R
authors: SR
authors: Beers
authors: Department of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology,New York State Psychiatric Institute,New York, NY,USA.
authors: A K
authors: AK
authors: Burke
authors: Department of Psychiatry,University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine,Pittsburgh, PA,USA.
authors: N M
authors: NM
authors: Melhem
authors: Department of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology,New York State Psychiatric Institute,New York, NY,USA.
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Oquendo
authors: Department of Psychiatry,University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine,Pittsburgh, PA,USA.
authors: D A
authors: DA
authors: Brent
authors: Department of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology,New York State Psychiatric Institute,New York, NY,USA.
authors: J J
authors: JJ
authors: Mann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*