Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and Suicide: A Systematic Review
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,...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Hindawi Limited
2013-01-01
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| Series: | BioMed Research International |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/424280 |
| Summary: | 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. |
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| ISSN: | 2314-6133 2314-6141 |