P50 sensory gating deficits linked to depressive symptoms in adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury
Photo by Navy Medicine / Unsplash
Key Takeaway
Interpret P50 sensory gating deficits in adolescents with NSSI as a potential neurophysiological correlate of comorbid depression.
This observational study compared P50 sensory gating indices in 86 adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and 50 healthy controls. The NSSI group was stratified by depressive symptoms: 55 with and 31 without. The primary outcomes were P50 sensory gating indices (S2/S1 amplitude ratio and S1-S2 difference), with secondary measures of depressive symptom severity (HAMD-17) and cognitive performance (MCCB).
Significant group differences were observed in P50 sensory gating. The NSSI with depression subgroup exhibited a significantly higher S2/S1 amplitude ratio compared to healthy controls (F = 8.688, P = 0.004). S2 amplitude also showed significant group differences (F = 5.279, P = 0.024), which remained after controlling for age and sex.
S2 amplitude independently predicted HAMD-17 depressive symptom scores (β = 0.264, P = 0.009). Furthermore, in the NSSI with depression subgroup, S2 amplitude was negatively correlated with performance on the Maze cognitive task (r = -0.298, P = 0.027), suggesting an association between sensory gating deficits and poorer specific cognitive function. Safety and tolerability data were not reported.
Key limitations include the observational, cross-sectional design, which precludes causal inference. The sample may not be representative, and the neurophysiological marker is not yet validated for clinical use. The findings suggest a potential neurophysiological correlate for depressive symptoms in adolescents with NSSI, but their clinical relevance remains uncertain.
More on Depressive Symptoms
MDD polygenic scores show adolescence-specific effects on child depressive symptoms in Norwegian cohort
Teen Depression Linked to Genes That "Switch On" at Puberty
This cohort study of children from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort assessed depressive symptoms at ages 8 and 14. Children's o…
Your teen's depression risk may be written in their genes, but only becomes visible during puberty's hormonal storm.
Social networking addiction and non-suicidal self-injury show bidirectional links in Chinese high school students.
Social media addiction and self-injury linked in teens
This 12-month cohort study of 2,628 Chinese high school students found reciprocal, prospective relationships between social networking addic…
A year-long study of Chinese high school students found that social networking addiction and non-suicidal self-injury influence each other, …
Prenatal parabens exposure linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes in mothers with depressive symptoms in Ningxia, China.
Depression Makes Chemicals Worse for Babies
This prospective cohort study of 934 mother-infant pairs in Ningxia, China, examined associations between prenatal parabens exposure and adv…
Mental health and chemical exposure work together to hurt pregnancy outcomes more than either one does alone.
GP psychoeducation sessions show no significant effect on depressive symptoms in primary care patients
Brief German study shows GP-led sessions improved patient knowledge and activation, but did not significantly reduce depressive symptoms.
A cluster-randomized controlled trial of 121 primary care patients with depressive symptoms found that four individual psychoeducation sessi…
A German study found that general practitioner-led sessions improved patient knowledge and engagement, though they did not significantly red…
View Original Abstract ↓
BackgroundNon-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescents is highly prevalent and frequently co-occurs with depressive symptoms, yet the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying this comorbidity remain unclear. P50 sensory gating reflects early inhibitory control of redundant sensory input and has been implicated in affective disorders. This study examined whether P50 gating deficits are present in adolescents with NSSI and whether they are associated with depressive symptom severity and cognitive performance.MethodsEighty-six adolescents with NSSI (55 with depressive symptoms; 31 without) and 50 healthy controls were recruited. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), and NSSI participants were stratified into depression (HAMD-17 ≥ 8) and non-depression (HAMD-17 < 8) subgroups. Cognitive function was evaluated using the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB). P50 sensory gating was measured using an auditory paired-click ERP paradigm, with gating indices calculated as the S2/S1 amplitude ratio and S1-S2 difference. Group differences in P50 indices were examined, and correlations and regression analyses were conducted to assess associations between P50 parameters, depressive symptoms, and cognition.ResultsSignificant group differences were observed in S2 amplitude and S2/S1 ratio both Ps < 0.05). Adolescents in the NSSI with depression subgroup exhibited significantly higher S2 amplitude and S2/S1 ratio compared with both healthy controls (S2/S1: F = 8.688, P = 0.004) and NSSI without depression. After controlling for age and sex, the between-subgroup difference in S2 amplitude remained significant (F = 5.279, P = 0.024). Within the overall NSSI sample, S2 amplitude was independently predicted HAMD-17 scores (β = 0.264, P = 0.009). In the NSSI with depression subgroup, S2 amplitude was negatively correlated with Maze task performance (r = -0.298, P = 0.027).ConclusionP50 sensory gating deficits in adolescent NSSI appear to be specifically associated with comorbid depressive symptoms rather than self-injurious behavior per se. S2-related inhibitory dysfunction may represent a neurophysiological marker of affective burden and selective executive vulnerability in this population.
PETRUSHKA decision-support tool reduced treatment discontinuation and improved symptoms in major depressive disorder
The Algorithm That Helps Doctors Pick the Right Antidepressant for You
Related in Psychiatry
Text-message CBT treatment reduced generalized anxiety disorder symptoms in young adults compared to wait-list control.
Text Message Therapy Reduces Anxiety Symptoms in Young Adults
This randomized clinical trial enrolled 103 young adults with generalized anxiety disorder or major depressive disorder. Participants receiv…
A text message treatment for depression also significantly lowered anxiety symptoms in young adults compared to waiting for care.
Cariprazine showed modest weight reduction versus aripiprazole in schizophrenia patients previously treated with olanzapine.
Cariprazine shows modest weight benefit over aripiprazole in schizophrenia patients
This trial compared cariprazine to aripiprazole in patients with schizophrenia who had previously used olanzapine. While both groups improve…
A trial found cariprazine linked to slightly more weight loss than aripiprazole in people with schizophrenia, though overall differences wer…
Self-help mindfulness and CBT interventions reduce depression and anxiety in distressed students
Mindfulness Apps Help Students Reduce Depression and Anxiety Symptoms
This RCT in 335 distressed university students in China found that self-help mindfulness interventions, with or without CBT, significantly r…
A trial found that online mindfulness programs significantly reduced depression and anxiety symptoms in stressed university students compare…
Values affirmation writing reduced anxiety in first-year minoritized STEM students compared to neutral writing in an RCT.
Writing Exercise Eases Anxiety in Minority STEM Students
This randomized controlled trial enrolled 69 first-year students from minoritized racial and ethnic backgrounds in STEM fields. Participants…
A brief writing exercise helped reduce anxiety and boost belonging among first-year STEM students from minoritized backgrounds.
From Other Specialties
Late-onset rheumatoid arthritis shows higher DAS28 scores and lower remission rates compared to young-onset disease in a meta-analysis.
Meta-analysis compares treatment outcomes in older versus younger rheumatoid arthritis patients
This meta-analysis reviewed data from over 5000 patients with late-onset rheumatoid arthritis (LORA) and young-onset rheumatoid arthritis (Y…
A large review found older patients with rheumatoid arthritis had higher disease activity and lower remission rates on biologics compared to…
Systematic review and meta-analysis of supervised exercise for foot pain in rheumatoid arthritis
Exercise reduces foot pain and improves function in rheumatoid arthritis
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated supervised exercise programs in adults with rheumatoid arthritis and foot involvement. Th…
Supervised exercise programs significantly reduce foot pain and improve physical function in adults with rheumatoid arthritis.
Vitamin D supplementation may reduce disease activity in SLE: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Vitamin D supplements may calm lupus activity, study finds
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 847 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus found that vitamin D supplementation significantl…
A new analysis of 847 lupus patients suggests vitamin D supplements may reduce disease activity and improve immune markers.
Observational study assesses MiniDock MTB diagnostic accuracy against Xpert in Indonesian TB patients
New TB test shows promise in Indonesia trial
This observational study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of MiniDock MTB on sputum swabs compared to Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra and liquid cultur…
A new TB test called MiniDock MTB accurately detected TB in adults, but sensitivity dropped in children and low-burden cases.