Sudden death and suicide: A comparison of brain weight

Abstract

Background: Recent evidence suggests that the brain weight of individuals over the age of 60 who commit suicide is significantly higher than in those who die of natural causes. Aims: To ascertain whether brain weight is different in people of a younger age who commit suicide than in those who die accidentally. Method: A retrospective review of post-mortem reports collecting height, weight and brain weight in 100 suicide victims (87 males, mean age 38.5 years) and 100 age/gender-matched controls who died accidentally or of natural causes (87 males, mean age 38.7 years). Comparison by t-test was made of brain weight in isolation as well as brain weight corrected for height, weight and body mass index. Results: These results reveal no significant difference in brain weight in suicide cases compared tothe general population (P > 0.05). The brain weight of those who died by hanging was significantly higher than of those who died by overdose. Conclusions: Whatever the significant neuropsychiatric elements are that influence suicidal behaviour, they do not consistently affect brain weight in the population studied.