Control-related frontal-striatal function is associated with past suicidal ideation and behavior in patients with recent-onset psychotic major mood disorders

- We evaluated past suicidal ideation and behavior in 30 patients with recent-onset bipolar affective disorder type I or major depressive disorder, each with psychotic features.
- Brain activation during cognitive control task performance was measured by fMRI.
- Past suicidal ideation was associated with control-related activation in right-hemisphere ventral PFC regions, rostral insula, and dorsal striatum.
- Past suicidal behavior was associated with control-related activation in right-hemisphere rostrolateral PFC regions, and relatively lower activity in midline parietal regions.

ObjectiveSuicide is highly-prevalent in major mood disorders, yet it remains unclear how suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior relate to brain functions, especially those that support control processes. We evaluated how prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity during goal-representation (an important component of cognitive control) relates to past suicidal ideation and behavior in patients with psychotic major mood disorders.Method30 patients with recent-onset of either DSM-IV-TR-defined bipolar disorder type I (n=21) or major depressive disorder (n=9) with psychotic features, but neither in a major mood episode nor acutely psychotic at study, were evaluated for past suicidal ideation and behavior (Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale) and functional MRI during cognitive control task performance. Group-level regression models of brain activation accounted for current depression, psychosis and trait impulsivity.ResultsIntensity of past suicidal ideation was associated with higher control-related activation in right-hemisphere regions including the ventrolateral PFC (VLPFC) and orbitofrontal cortex, rostral insula, and dorsal striatum. Among those with past suicidal ideation (n=16), past suicidal behavior (n=8) was associated with higher control-related activation in right-hemisphere regions including VLPFC, rostrolateral PFC, and frontal operculum/rostral insula; and relatively lower activity in midline parietal regions, including cuneus and precuneus.LimitationsThe sample size of subjects with past suicidal behavior was modest, and all subjects were taking psychotropic medication.ConclusionsThis study provides unique evidence that in early-course psychotic major mood disorders, suicidal ideation and behavior histories directly relate to PFC-based circuit function in support of cognitive control.