White matter integrity, suicidal ideation, and cognitive dysfunction in combat-exposed Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans

White matter alterations in frontolimbic circuits and poorer cognitive functioning have been observed in individuals endorsing suicidality across numerous psychiatric conditions. However, relationships between white matter integrity, cognition, and suicidality in Veterans are poorly understood, particularly for those at increased risk for suicide due to mental health conditions (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder, depression) and traumatic brain injury history. We (1) examined white matter alterations in combat-exposed Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans with and without suicidal ideation (SI) and (2) investigated relationships between white matter integrity and neuropsychological functioning in regions that differed between SI groups. No group differences were found regarding psychiatric diagnoses. Participants with SI had lower fractional anisotropy (FA) in the posterior corona radiata, superior corona radiata, and superior longitudinal fasciculus relative to those without SI. Worse processing speed/attention performance was associated with lower FA in the superior longitudinal fasciculus, while worse executive functioning performance was associated with lower FA in the superior corona radiata and superior longitudinal fasciculus. Memory performance was not associated with FA. These findings suggest that white matter integrity may be involved in cognitive dysfunction and increased risk for SI. Interventions that target cognitive dysfunction may ameliorate SI, and in turn, reduce risk for suicide among Veterans.

Automated summary

The study found that Veterans with suicidal ideation had lower white matter integrity, which was associated with certain neuropsychological impairments. These findings suggest that white matter integrity may play a role in cognitive dysfunction and increased risk for suicide among Veterans.