Suicide after successful deep brain stimulation for movement disorders

Neurology. 2004 Dec 14;63(11):2170-2. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000145603.48221.b5.

Abstract

The authors observed a high rate of suicide (6/140 patients, 4.3%) in a large cohort of patients with movement disorders treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS). Apparent risk factors included a previous history of severe depression and multiple successive DBS surgeries, whereas there was no relationship with the underlying condition, DBS target, electrical parameters, or modifications of treatment. Paradoxically, all patients experienced an excellent motor outcome following the procedure. The authors propose that patients at high risk for suicide should be excluded from DBS surgery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cohort Studies
  • Comorbidity
  • Deep Brain Stimulation*
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Movement Disorders / psychology
  • Movement Disorders / therapy*
  • Patient Selection
  • Prevalence
  • Remission Induction
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Suicide*