Language

English

Publication Date

1-1-2026

Journal

The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences

DOI

10.1176/appi.neuropsych.20250006

PMID

40350965

PMCID

PMC12990893

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

3-17-2026

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Author MSS

Abstract

Objective: Suicidal ideation has not been extensively studied in spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs). The authors examined whether individuals with SCAs have increased suicidal ideation and related factors.

Methods: The authors studied patients with genetically confirmed SCAs enrolled in the Clinical Research Consortium for the Study of Cerebellar Ataxia cohort, examining the percentages of patients with SCA subtypes 1, 2, 3, and 6 who reported suicidal ideation and comparing findings with nationally representative data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Clinical characteristics that may contribute to suicidal ideation in SCAs, including age, disease duration, sex, ataxia severity, depression, and SCA subtype, were also studied.

Results: Suicidal ideation was present among 12% of 769 patients with SCAs and 4.3% of individuals in the general population recorded in the NSDUH. Compared with individuals in the general population, SCA patients had higher odds of suicidal ideation (OR=2.72). Compared with patients with SCA without suicidal ideation, patients with SCA and suicidal ideation had a longer disease duration (mean±SD=13.1±8.2 years vs. 11.2±9.4 years), more severe ataxia (Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia mean score=15.9±8.6 vs. 12.9±7.6), and more severe depression. Having suicidal ideation at baseline significantly increased the odds of suicidality later in the disease course (OR=58.73, 95% CI=36.00-98.40).

Conclusions: Suicidal ideation was more prevalent among patients with SCAs than in the general population. The findings of this study underscore the importance of continuous suicidal risk screening among individuals with SCAs and the need for effective depression management.

Keywords

Humans, Male, Female, Suicidal Ideation, Spinocerebellar Ataxias, Middle Aged, Adult, Aged, Cohort Studies, Severity of Illness Index, Young Adult, Cerebellar Disorders, Cerebellum, Nonmotor Function, Spinocerebellar Ataxia, Suicidal Ideation, Suicide

Published Open-Access

yes

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