Citation

Wortzel HS, Shura RD, Brenner LA. Biomed. Res. Int. 2013; 2013: 424280.

Affiliation

Departments of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 19 Mental Illness, Research, Education and Clinical Center, Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, CO 80220, USA ; Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO 80045, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Hindawi Publishing)

DOI

10.1155/2013/424280

PMID

24328030

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a global health concern, and the recent literature reports that a single mild TBI can result in chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). It has been suggested that CTE may lead to death by suicide, raising important prevention, treatment, and policy implications. Thus, we conducted a systematic review of the medical literature to answer the key question: What is the existing evidence in support of a relationship between CTE and suicide? Systematic searches of CTE and suicide yielded 85 unique abstracts. Seven articles were identified for full text review. Only two case series met inclusion criteria and included autopsies from 17 unique cases, 5 of whom died by suicide. Neither studies used blinding, control cases, or systematic data collection regarding TBI exposure and/or medical/neuropsychiatric history. The identified CTE literature revealed divergent opinions regarding neuropathological elements of CTE and heterogeneity regarding clinical manifestations. Overall quality of evidence regarding a relationship between CTE and suicide was rated as very low using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation Working Group (GRADE) criteria. Further studies of higher quality and methodological rigor are needed to determine the existence and nature of any relationship between CTE and suicide.

Language: en