The Link Between Suicide and Epilepsy

Epilepsy alone increases the risk for suicidal behavior, but this study found no relationship between the increased risk and antiseizure drugs.

Epilepsy is associated with heightened risk for suicidal behavior, and much concern has centered on the role of antiepileptic drugs (NEJM JW Psychiatry Jan 2014 and Neurology 2013; 81:1900). Previously, researchers have suggested that the risk is mostly confined to individuals with preexisting psychiatric disorders (NEJM JW Psychiatry Aug 27 2012 [e-pub] and Ann Neurol 2012; 72:184). The same research group has now extended its research to a large population-based cohort in the U.K. Some authors were pharmaceutical company employees.

The cohort included 14,059 individuals with onset of epilepsy between 1987 and 2013 (age range, 10–60; median age, 36; 52% male; idiopathic epilepsy, 85%) and 56,184 age- and sex-matched controls. The periods be…

Reviewing Author

Jonathan Silver, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)

Jonathan Silver, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

The Link Between Suicide and Epilepsy

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Reviewing Author