Psychiatrist.comAssociations of MSK1 Methylation and Executive Function with Suicidal Ideation in Adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder: A Prospective Cohort Study

Understanding the Interplay Between MSK1 Methylation and Executive Function in Adolescent Suicidal Ideation

A recent prospective cohort study sheds light on the intricate relationship between MSK1 methylation, executive function, and suicidal ideation in adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD), offering new insights into the underlying mechanisms and potential predictors of suicidal thoughts in this vulnerable group.

Study Design:

• Participants: 66 drug-naive adolescents experiencing their first episode of MDD.
• Duration: Enrollment from February 2019 until October 2020.
• Follow-up: Participants received 6 weeks of antidepressant treatment, with 65 remaining in the study.
• Assessments: Suicidal ideation and depressive severity measured using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale; executive function evaluated using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery; MSK1 methylation assessed using bisulfite DNA analysis.

Key Findings:

• 43 out of 66 adolescents (65.15%) reported suicidal ideation.
• Participants with suicidal ideation exhibited poorer executive function and higher MSK1 methylation levels compared to those without.
• MSK1 methylation percentage could potentially predict suicidal ideation in adolescents with MDD (odds ratio [OR] 1.227, 95% CI [1.031 to 1.461]).
• Improvement in executive function was significantly associated with a reduction in suicidal ideation during antidepressant treatment (β = −0.200, 95% CI [−0.877 to −0.085]).

According to the World Health Organization, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds globally.

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