Reducing Suicidal Ideation Through Insomnia Treatment

Overview

Epidemiologic reports have linked insomnia to suicidal ideation and suicide death. However, no studies have determined whether treating insomnia decreases the risk of suicidality. We have new data indicating that (1) the link between insomnia and suicidal ideation holds true in clinical trials of depressed insomniacs, (2) dysfunctional cognitions about sleep are related to suicidal ideas, and (3) treatment of insomnia with hypnotics leads to a reduction of suicidal ideation. We now propose to test whether cautious use of hypnotics in suicidal, depressed insomniacs may reduce suicide risk in a multi-site clinical trial.

Primary Aim: We will assess the effect of treating insomnia with hypnotic medication on the intensity of suicidal ideation in depressed outpatients with insomnia and suicidal ideation. -Hypothesis 1. Treatment of depressed, insomniac and suicidal outpatients with open-label fluoxetine (FLX) and blinded zolpidem controlled release (ZOL) will reduce suicidal ideation more than treatment with FLX and blinded placebo. Secondary Aim: We will examine whether reduced suicidal ideation in depressed insomniacs is mediated through reduced dysfunctional beliefs about sleep, reduced hopelessness, or fewer nightmares. * Hypothesis 2a. Reduction in suicidal ideation will be mediated through reductions in dysfunctional beliefs about sleep. * Hypothesis 2b. Reduction in suicidal ideation will be mediated through reductions in hopelessness. * Hypothesis 2c. Reduction in suicidal ideation is mediated through fewer nightmares. Tertiary Aim: We will confirm findings from our prior pilot studies that treatment of insomnia in depressed insomniacs leads to improvements in health-related quality of life, especially in women. Exploratory Aim: We will archive actigraphy data to permit future examination to confirm our preliminary data that actigraphic activity decreases as suicidal ideation resolves. Overview of the Need for and Management of a Collaborative Application: The sample sizes required to satisfy the Aims are relatively large, necessitating the pooled recruiting resources of 3 sites. Georgia Regents University (GRU) will serve both as the coordinating/data management site, as well as a recruiting site, with Duke and Wisconsin as recruiting sites. Project management will be coordinated through an Executive Committee of site principal investigators, under the supervision of a Data and Safety Monitoring Board. Impact on the Field: This application has the potential to change providers' practice in the approach to treating insomnia in depressed patients with mild-moderate suicidal ideation. It may also reveal the mechanisms whereby insomnia increases the risk for suicidal ideation and behavior, and begin to examine whether there is an actigraphic "signature" for reductions in suicidal ideation. When these lessons are applied to the clinical world, they can be applied with low cost.