OBJECTIVETo investigate the variations of sensory evoked potentials (SEPs) in patients with affective disorders accompanying suicidal behavior.

METHODS39 depressive patients, 22 manic patients and 33 normal controls were included in the study. Visual, auditory and somatosensory evoked potentials (VEP, AEP & SSEP) were recorded from every subject using a Nicolet Spirit Instrument.

RESULTSBoth the depressive and manic groups presented prolonged latencies and decreased amplitudes of major components of SEPs as compared to that of normal controls. Depressive patients with suicidal behavior had decreased P(3) amplitude of VEP (P < 0.05), while maniacs with suicidal behavior had decreased P(2) amplitudes of VEP & AEP (P < 0.05 or 0.01). Compared with patients without suicidal behavior, patients with suicidal behavior had significantly decreased P(3) amplitudes of VEP & SSEP.

CONCLUSIONSThe variations of SEPs in patients with affective disorders is closely associated with a history of suicidal behavior. Their clinical significance and biological correlates with suicidal behavior need further study.

Adult ; Bipolar Disorder ; physiopathology ; Depressive Disorder ; physiopathology ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory ; Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory ; Evoked Potentials, Visual ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Suicide, Attempted