Citation

Soulas T, Gurruchaga JM, Palfi S, Cesaro P, Nguyen JP, Fénelon G. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry 2008; 79(8): 952-954.

Affiliation

Department of Neurosurgery, AP-HP, CHU Henri Mondor, Créteil, France.

Comment In:

J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2008;79(8):851

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/jnnp.2007.130583

PMID

18403439

Abstract

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.

Language: en