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Abstract:
Background: An abnormal auditory evoked P300 has been
reported in several psychiatric disorders, such as dementia,
schizophrenia, and depression. Most of the studies found a smaller
P300 amplitude as well as a prolonged P300 latency in major
depression. An important correlation between P300 amplitude and
depressive psychopathology was found in studies of suicidal
behavior in depressive disorder (Hansenne et al. 1996). The aim of
this study was to focus on the aspect of electrophysiological
correlates of suicidality in major depression. Methods: P300 was
recorded in 33 subjects with major depression without
antidepressive medication using an oddball paradigm. P300 was
measured at the Pz electrode. Psychopathology was assessed with the
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Results: A significant
positive correlation between P300 latency and the item suicidality
in the HDRS was found (r=.350; p=.046). Adjusting for age using a
partial correlation, P300 latency and also P300 amplitude were
correlated with suicidality (latency: r=.491; p=.015, amplitude:
r=-.420; p=.041). No correlation was found between Hamilton total
score and P300 amplitude or latency. Conclusion: The study confirms
the findings of Hansenne et al. (1996) that the P300 amplitude is
correlated with suicidality. Furthermore, in this study P300
latency was also correlated with suicidality. P300 abnormalities
could be considered as a biological marker of suicidality in
depressive disorder.
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