[Relevancia y prevalencia histopatológica y molecular del cáncer de mamaPrevalence and significance of breast cancer pathologycal subtypes in Ecuador]. / Relevancia y prevalencia de los parámetros histopatológicos y subtipos moleculares del cáncer de mama en mujeres del área costera de Ecuador atendidas en una institución de Salud Pública.

BACKGROUND: The success of breast cancer (BC) treatment depends largely on the clinical-histological characteristics of the patient. Immunohistochemical (IHC) Breast Cancer Subtypes are crucial for therapeutic purposes. AIM: To determine the relevance and prevalence of the histopathological parameters and molecular subtypes of BC among women attending public health services. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out in 199 female patients with histopathological diagnosis of breast cancer, treated at a Guayaquil city hospital in Ecuador, from January 2014 to December 2017. RESULTS: Luminal A carcinoma was the most prevalent tumor in the studied women (54%). Thirty seven percent of patients did not have nodal involvement, 40% had one to three lymph nodes involved and 2% had 10 or more nodes involved. Most patients had a tumor size > 2 and ≤ 5 cm (72%) and moderately differentiated specifications (57%). CONCLUSIONS: The study allowed the characterization of breast cancer according to the prevalence of molecular subtypes and clinical and histological characteristics. These factors determine therapeutic behaviors that optimize the use of the limited resources of the Public Health System.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Its Neuroinvasive Capacity: Is It Time for Melatonin?

The world faces an exceptional new public health concern caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), subsequently termed the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by the World Health Organization (WHO). Although the clinical symptoms mostly have been characterized, the scientific community still doesn´t know how SARS-CoV-2 successfully reaches and spreads throughout the central nervous system (CNS) inducing brain damage. The recent detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and in frontal lobe sections from postmortem examination has confirmed the presence of the virus in neural tissue. This finding reveals a new direction in the search for a neurotherapeutic strategy in the COVID-19 patients with underlying diseases. Here, we discuss the COVID-19 outbreak in a neuroinvasiveness context and suggest the therapeutic use of high doses of melatonin, which may favorably modulate the immune response and neuroinflammation caused by SARS-CoV-2. However, clinical trials elucidating the efficacy of melatonin in the prevention and clinical management in the COVID-19 patients should be actively encouraged.

Nucleobase-Derived Nitrones: Synthesis and Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Activities in an In Vitro Model of Ischemia-Reperfusion.

Herein, we report the synthesis, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties of some nucleobase-derived nitrones named 9a-i. The neuroprotective properties of nitrones, 9a-i, were measured against an oxygen-glucose-deprivation in vitro ischemia model using human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Our results indicate that nitrones, 9a-i, have better neuroprotective and antioxidant properties than α-phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN) and are similar to N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), a well-known antioxidant and neuroprotective agent. The nitrones with the highest neuroprotective capacity were those containing purine nucleobases (nitrones 9f, g, B = adenine, theophylline), followed by nitrones with pyrimidine nucleobases with H or F substituents at the C5 position (nitrones 9a, c). All of these possess EC50 values in the range of 1-6 µM and maximal activities higher than 100%. However, the introduction of a methyl substituent (nitrone 9b, B = thymine) or hard halogen substituents such as Br and Cl (nitrones 9d, e, B = 5-Br and 5-Cl uracil, respectively) worsens the neuroprotective activity of the nitrone with uracil as the nucleobase (9a). The effects on overall metabolic cell capacity were confirmed by results on the high anti-necrotic (EC50's ≈ 2-4 µM) and antioxidant (EC50's ≈ 0.4-3.5 µM) activities of these compounds on superoxide radical production. In general, all tested nitrones were excellent inhibitors of superoxide radical production in cultured neuroblastoma cells, as well as potent hydroxyl radical scavengers that inhibit in vitro lipid peroxidation, particularly, 9c, f, g, presenting the highest lipoxygenase inhibitory activity among the tested nitrones. Finally, the introduction of two nitrone groups at 9a and 9d (bis-nitronas 9g, i) did not show better neuroprotective effects than their precursor mono-nitrones. These results led us to propose nitrones containing purine (9f, g) and pyrimidine (9a, c) nucleobases as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of cerebral ischemia and/or neurodegenerative diseases, leading us to further investigate their effects using in vivo models of these pathologies.

Oral Versus Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotic Treatment for People With Severe Schizophrenia: A 5-Year Follow-up of Effectiveness.

ABSTRACT: The objective here is to compare the effectiveness of long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAI-APs) and oral ones (OAPs) in patients with severe (Global Clinical Impression-Severity ≥ 5) schizophrenia (N = 688). A 5-year follow-up study has been conducted in patients undergoing standard treatment in mental health units (MHUs) or on a severe mental illness program (SMIP). A total of 8.7% of the patients on the SMIP discontinued treatment, whereas 43.6% did so in MHUs (p < 0.0001). In both cases, treatment retention was significantly higher in patients on LAI-APs (p < 0.001). Also, hospital admissions were in both cases fewer among those on LAI-APs (p < 0.001). There was a significant link between suicide attempts and OAP treatment (p < 0.01). Given the relationship between the use of LAI-APs versus oral treatments in achieving higher adherence and less relapses and suicide attempts, the use of second-generation antipsychotics LAIs should be considered more suitable for people with severe schizophrenia.

Cognitive predictors of self-awareness in patients with acquired brain injury along neuropsychological rehabilitation.

Previous research has identified a critical role of executive function and memory in self-awareness, a metacognitive capacity often impaired in acquired brain injury. Through this observational study, we aimed to explore the effect of cognitive rehabilitation on the predictive value of these variables, as also whether any of them can predict the level of self-awareness once the cognitive rehabilitation is completed. 69 patients underwent a neuropsychological assessment, including self-awareness, at admission to and discharge from a cognitive rehabilitation process. Regression analysis was performed at these two moments and a third one was conducted to evaluate whether any of the variables at admission predicted the level of self-awareness at discharge. Verbal fluency was found to be the best predictor of self-awareness, both at admission and discharge. In addition, inhibition and cognitive flexibility, as well as episodic memory, appeared as significant predictors of post-rehabilitation self-awareness. Finally, verbal fluency was revealed as the unique pre-rehabilitation predictor of subsequent level of self-awareness following rehabilitation. While post-acute self-awareness is predicted by non-specific executive measures, the cognitive improvement putatively induced by neuropsychological rehabilitation reveals the contribution of more specific executive and memory functions. Importantly, pre-rehabilitation verbal fluency scores predicted the level of self-awareness after cognitive rehabilitation.

Sigma-1 receptor antagonist (BD-1063) potentiates the antinociceptive effect of quercetin in neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury.

Neuropathic pain is characterized by the presence of hyperalgesia and allodynia. Pharmacological treatments include the use of antiepileptics such as pregabalin or gabapentin, as well as antidepressants; however, given the role of the sigma-1 receptor in the generation and maintenance of pain, it has been suggested that sigma-1 receptor antagonists may be effective. There are also other alternatives that have been explored, such as the use of flavonoids such as quercetin. Due to the relevance of drug combinations in therapeutics, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the combination of BD-1063 with quercetin in a chronic sciatic nerve constriction model using the "Surface of Synergistic Interaction" analysis method. The combination had preferable additive or synergistic effects, with BD-1063 (17.8 mg/kg) + QUER (5.6 mg/kg) showing the best antinociceptive effects. The required doses were also lower than those used individually to obtain the same level of effect. Our results provide the first evidence that the combination of a sigma-1 receptor antagonist and the flavonoid quercetin may be useful in the treatment of nociceptive behaviors associated with neuropathic pain, suggesting a new therapeutic alternative for this type of pain.

Synthesis, Neuroprotection, and Antioxidant Activity of 1,1'-Biphenylnitrones as α-Phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone Analogues in In Vitro Ischemia Models.

Herein, we report the neuroprotective and antioxidant activity of 1,1'-biphenyl nitrones (BPNs) 1-5 as α-phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone analogues prepared from commercially available [1,1'-biphenyl]-4-carbaldehyde and [1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-dicarbaldehyde. The neuroprotection of BPNs1-5 has been measured against oligomycin A/rotenone and in an oxygen-glucose deprivation in vitro ischemia model in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Our results indicate that BPNs 1-5 have better neuroprotective and antioxidant properties than α-phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN), and they are quite similar to N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), which is a well-known antioxidant agent. Among the nitrones studied, homo-bis-nitrone BPHBN5, bearing two N-tert-Bu radicals at the nitrone motif, has the best neuroprotective capacity (EC50 = 13.16 ± 1.65 and 25.5 ± 3.93 µM, against the reduction in metabolic activity induced by respiratory chain blockers and oxygen-glucose deprivation in an in vitro ischemia model, respectively) as well as anti-necrotic, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant activities (EC50 = 11.2 ± 3.94 µM), which were measured by its capacity to reduce superoxide production in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell cultures, followed by mononitrone BPMN3, with one N-Bn radical, and BPMN2, with only one N-tert-Bu substituent. The antioxidant activity of BPNs1-5 has also been analyzed for their capacity to scavenge hydroxyl free radicals (82% at 100 µM), lipoxygenase inhibition, and the inhibition of lipid peroxidation (68% at 100 µM). Results showed that although the number of nitrone groups improves the neuroprotection profile of these BPNs, the final effect is also dependent on the substitutent that is being incorporated. Thus, BPNs bearing N-tert-Bu and N-Bn groups show better neuroprotective and antioxidant properties than those substituted with Me. All these results led us to propose homo-bis-nitrone BPHBN5 as the most balanced and interesting nitrone based on its neuroprotective capacity in different neuronal models of oxidative stress and in vitro ischemia as well as its antioxidant activity.

Melatonin's efficacy in stroke patients; a matter of dose? A systematic review.

There is a lack of effective therapies for stroke patients; its treatment is even more difficult considering the unexpected onset of the disease. In the last decade, melatonin has emerged as a promising neuroprotective agent which is able to cross the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) and with a low toxicity profile. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize and critically review clinical and pre-clinical evidence related to melatonin's effectiveness as a stroke treatment. Together with a comparative dose extrapolation with those used in the selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and based on these data to discuss whether the administered doses correlate with those advisable in human patients. To address this purpose, we performed a systematic review of the available literature. A total of 529 records were screened with the selecting of six full articles containing RCTs that met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The evidence drawn from these six reports was analyzed to identify remaining gaps, treatment efficacy, and to suggest future directions. The primary outcome reported was the reduction of the oxidative response; the secondary outcome was the increase of the survival rate of the patients in the intervention groups. Calculations derived from animal studies revealed that the translational doses to humans were substantially higher than those employed in the RCTs. The findings of this systematic review revealed that there are insufficient RCTs to prove melatonin's value in stroke patients. Nevertheless, the evidence is promising, and further clinical research may support the benefits of melatonin in stroke patients, if the adequate dose is administered.

Cognitive Effects of Combined Amisulpride and Quetiapine Treatment in Patients With Refractory Schizophrenia: A Naturalistic, Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Regarding the treatment of patients with resistant schizophrenia, different options exit, although they are supported by limited evidence. In this study, antipsychotic polypharmacy, comprising 1200 mg of amisulpride and 600 mg of quetiapine, was used. Clinical change evaluation was performed using neurocognitive evaluations. STUDY QUESTION: The use of amisulpride and quetiapine will imply a clinical improvement in patients affected by schizophrenia, which will be specially reflected in a cognitive improvement. STUDY DESIGN: Naturalistic and prospective study. Twenty-six patients were applied and assessed by a battery of neurocognitive evaluations since the pretreatment baseline until 6-month treatment. The patients had no biological response to medication, high social maladjustment, and a long clinical history of the disease. Kane and Brenner criteria for treatment-resistant schizophrenia were applied to choose the subjects. MEASURES AND OUTCOMES: The cognitive improvement will imply a significant betterment, from the pretreatment baseline until 6-month treatment, in the following cognitive tests: Stroop Test, WAIS Coding Subtest, and Comprehensive Trail Making Test (CTMT). An improvement in the Calgary Depression Scale, Simpson-Angus Scale, and Visual Analogue Scale (EVA) will also be observed. This scales were been used during the baseline, 3 months after, and then, 6 months. RESULTS: Subjects, after 6-month treatment with amisulpride and quetiapine, did show statistically significant differences in the assessed areas: WAIS Coding Subtest (P < 0.001), CTMT A and B (CTMT A P < 0.034; CTMT B P < 0.000), and Stroop Tests: Word (P < 0.001), Word-Color (P < 0.007), and Interference (P < 0.039). Furthermore, they showed a statistically significant difference in the Calgary Depression Scale (P < 0.002), Simpson-Angus Scale (P < 0.019), and EVA (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this report show a cognitive and clinical improvement in refractory patients after the administration of amisulpride and quetiapine.

Affinin and hexahydroaffinin: Chemistry and toxicological profile.

The present work aimed to determine the safety parameters of two new alkamides, affinin and hexahydroaffinin, with antinociceptive activity. To predict the preliminary acute toxicity, we used the acute and subchronic toxicity (50 mg/kg, orally [po]) in Swiss Webster mice. Genotoxicity assayed via analysis of cell micronuclei of the femoral bone marrow in mice; at the same time, metabolic parameters determined from peripheral blood samples. Furthermore, to discard the neuropharmacological effects, we assessed the ambulatory activity in mice to determine the possible effects in the central nervous system. Finally, we used capsaicin as a positive control of alkamides. According to our results, hexahydroaffinin (LD50 ≥ 5,000 mg/kg, po) is significantly less noxious than affinin (LD50 = 1,442.2 mg/kg, po) or capsaicin (LD50 = 489.9 mg/kg, po). In subchronic administration, we did not observe any changes in hematological or biochemical parameters in any compound analyzed from peripheral blood samples. Finally, the data from the genotoxicity assay showed micronuclei formation in 28%, 5%, and 3% of mice in the capsaicin, affinin, and hexahydroaffinin groups, respectively. With the results obtained in the present investigation, we suggest that affinin and hexahydroaffinin are not only useful candidates for possible new drugs but also safe compounds.

Homo-Tris-Nitrones Derived from α-Phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone: Synthesis, Neuroprotection and Antioxidant Properties.

Herein we report the synthesis, antioxidant and neuroprotective power of homo-tris-nitrones (HTN) 1-3, designed on the hypothesis that the incorporation of a third nitrone motif into our previously identified homo-bis-nitrone 6 (HBN6) would result in an improved and stronger neuroprotection. The neuroprotection of HTNs1-3, measured against oligomycin A/rotenone, showed that HTN2 was the best neuroprotective agent at a lower dose (EC50 = 51.63 ± 4.32 µM), being similar in EC50 and maximal activity to α-phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN) and less potent than any of HBNs 4-6. The results of neuroprotection in an in vitro oxygen glucose deprivation model showed that HTN2 was the most powerful (EC50 = 87.57 ± 3.87 µM), at lower dose, but 50-fold higher than its analogous HBN5, and ≈1.7-fold less potent than PBN. HTN3 had a very good antinecrotic (IC50 = 3.47 ± 0.57 µM), antiapoptotic, and antioxidant (EC50 = 6.77 ± 1.35 µM) profile, very similar to that of its analogous HBN6. In spite of these results, and still being attractive neuroprotective agents, HTNs 2 and 3 do not have better neuroprotective properties than HBN6, but clearly exceed that of PBN.

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition of Diversely Functionalized Quinolinones for Alzheimer's Disease Therapy.

In this communication, we report the synthesis and cholinesterase (ChE)/monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibition of 19 quinolinones (QN1-19) and 13 dihydroquinolinones (DQN1-13) designed as potential multitarget small molecules (MSM) for Alzheimer's disease therapy. Contrary to our expectations, none of them showed significant human recombinant MAO inhibition, but compounds QN8, QN9, and DQN7 displayed promising human recombinant acetylcholinesterase (hrAChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (hrBuChE) inhibition. In particular, molecule QN8 was found to be a potent and quite selective non-competitive inhibitor of hrAChE (IC50 = 0.29 µM), with Ki value in nanomolar range (79 nM). Pertinent docking analysis confirmed this result, suggesting that this ligand is an interesting hit for further investigation.

The Kirkbride buildings in contemporary culture (1850-2015): from 'moral management' to horror films.

The so-called 'Kirkbride Plan' is a type of mental institution designed by the American psychiatrist Thomas Story Kirkbride. The Kirkbride-design asylums were built from 1848 to the end of the nineteenth century. Their structural characteristics were subordinated to a certain approach to moral management: exposure to natural light, beautiful views and good air circulation. These hospitals used several architectural styles, but they all had a similar general plan. The popularity of the model decreased for theoretical and economic reasons, so many were demolished or reused, but at least 25 of the original buildings became protected places. Over the years, surrounded by a legendary aura, these buildings have become a leitmotif of contemporary popular culture: 'the asylum of terror'.

Modulation of Heat Shock Response Proteins by ASS234, Targeted for Neurodegenerative Diseases Therapy.

ASS234 is a new multitarget molecule with multiple neuroprotective actions that significantly elevate mRNA levels of NRF2 and HSF1 transcriptional factors and of HSP105, HSP90AB1, HSPA1A, HSPA1B, HSPA5, HSPA8, HSPA9, HSP60, DNAJA1, DNAJB1, DNAJB6, DNAJC3, DNAJC5, DNAJC6, HSPB1, HSPB2, HSPB5, HSPB6, HSPB8, and HSP10 heat shock proteins (HSPs) family members in SH-SY5Y cells. This NRF2 and HSF1 overexpression may explain the upregulation of both the antioxidant enzymes previously described and the members of the HSPs family observed. These findings suggest that ASS234 is a potent HSPs inductor, which might be beneficial for preventing protein misfolding aggregation and cell death in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Bibliometric analysis of global Lassa fever research (1970-2017): a 47 - year study.

BACKGROUND: Lassa fever has been a public health concern in the West African sub-region where it is endemic and a latent threat to the world at large. We investigated the trend in Lassa fever research using bibliometric approach. METHODS: We used the SCOPUS database employing "Lassa fever" as search descriptor. The most common bibliometric indicators were applied for the selected publications. RESULTS: The number of scientific research articles retrieved for Lassa fever research from 1970 to 2017 was 1101. The growth of publications was more linear (r = 0.67) than exponential (r = 0.53). The duplication time of the scientific articles was 9.19 years. Small number of authors were responsible for bulk of the article production (transience index of 78.89%). The collaboration index was 4.59 per paper. The Bradford core consisted of 19 journals in which Journal of Virology was at the top (4.6%). Majority of the output were from USA government agencies. United States was the most productive country. Joseph B. McCormick was the most productive author, while New England Journal of Medicine published the two most cited articles. CONCLUSION: The growth of scientific Literature on Lassa fever was of linear pattern with high transient authors indicating low productivity and non-specialized authors from other related areas publishing sporadically. This study provides a helpful reference for medical virologists, epidemiologist, policy decision makers, academics and Lassa fever researchers.

A History of the Pharmacological Treatment of Bipolar Disorder.

In this paper, the authors review the history of the pharmacological treatment of bipolar disorder, from the first nonspecific sedative agents introduced in the 19th and early 20th century, such as solanaceae alkaloids, bromides and barbiturates, to John Cade's experiments with lithium and the beginning of the so-called "Psychopharmacological Revolution" in the 1950s. We also describe the clinical studies and development processes, enabling the therapeutic introduction of pharmacological agents currently available for the treatment of bipolar disorder in its different phases and manifestations. Those drugs include lithium salts, valproic acid, carbamazepine, new antiepileptic drugs, basically lamotrigine and atypical antipsychotic agents (olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, ziprasidone, aripiprazole, asenapine, cariprazine and lurasidone). Finally, the socio-sanitary implications derived from the clinical introduction of these drugs are also discussed.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Scientific Production on Second-Generation Anti-Psychotic Drugs in Malaysia.

OBJECTIVE: We carried out a bibliometric study on the scientific papers related to second-generation antipsychotic drugs (SGAs) in Malaysia. METHODS: With the SCOPUS database, we selected those documents made in Malaysia whose title included descriptors related to SGAs. We applied bibliometric indicators of production and dispersion, as Price's law and Bradford's law, respectively. We also calculated the participation index of the different countries. The bibliometric data were also been correlated with some social and health data from Malaysia (total per capita expenditure on health and gross domestic expenditure on R&D). RESULTS: We found 105 original documents published between 2004 and 2016. Our results fulfilled Price's law, with scientific production on SGAs showing exponential growth (r = 0.401, vs. r = 0.260 after linear adjustment). The drugs most studied are olanzapine (9 documents), clozapine (7), and risperidone (7). Division into Bradford zones yields a nucleus occupied by the Medical Journal of Malaysia, Singapore Medical Journal, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, and Pharmacogenomics. Totally, 63 different journals were used, but only one in the top four journals had an impact factor being greater than 3. CONCLUSION: The publications on SGAs in Malaysia have undergone exponential growth, without evidence a saturation point.

The Modulation of the Startle Reflex as Predictor of Alcohol Use Disorders in a Sample of Heavy Drinkers: A 4-Year Follow-Up Study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies demonstrated that patients with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) show altered startle reflex responses to alcohol-related stimuli. However, there is little information about the role of these altered responses in the development of AUDs. This study examined the startle reflex response to different visual stimuli and the role of these patterns in the development of AUDs in a 4-year follow-up. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-nine (nondependent) heavy-drinking participants were selected. In the baseline period, the startle reflex responses to alcohol-related, aversive, appetitive, and neutral pictures were assessed. Startle reflex responses to these pictures were used as predictive variables. Status drinking (alcohol dependence and nondependence) assessed at 4-year follow-up was used as outcome measure. RESULTS: At the 4-year follow-up assessment, 46% of participants fulfilled DSM-IV alcohol abuse or dependence criteria. Alcohol dependence status was predicted by an attenuated startle reflex response to alcohol-related and aversive pictures. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that an attenuated modulation of startle reflex response to alcohol-related and aversive stimuli could be used as a clinical marker to predict the development of AUDs in participants with previous alcohol consumption.

The Effect of Gabapentin and Tramadol in Cancer Pain Induced by Glioma Cell in Rat Femur.

Preclinical Research The presence of pain as part of the cancer process is variable. Glioblastoma multiform (GBM) can produce bone metastasis, a condition that involves other pathological phenotypes including neuropathic and inflammatory pain. Tramadol and gabapentin are drugs used in the treatment of neuropathic pain. However, there are no studies evaluating their analgesic effects in bone metastasis. We produced a pain model induced by the inoculation of glioma cells (105 ) into the rat femur, by perforating the intercodiloid fossa. Painful behavior was evaluated by measuring mechanical allodynia using the Von Frey test while thermal hyperalgesia was assessed in the plantar test. Histopathological features were evaluated and antinociceptive responses were compared using tramadol and gabapentin. The inoculation of cells inside the right femur produced nociceptive behaviors. Tramadol and gabapentin produced an anti-allodynic effect in this condition, but tramadol did not produce an anti-hyperalgesic response. The development of this model will allow us to perform tests to elucidate the pathology of bone metastasis, cancer pain, and in particular the pain produced by glioma. Drug Dev Res 78 : 173-183, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Study of Deaths by Suicide in the Soviet Special Camp Number 7 (Sachsenhausen), 1945-1950.

After World War II, Sachsenhausen Nazi concentration camp (Oranienburg) was administered until the spring of 1950 by Soviet occupation forces (Special Camp Number 7) and used mainly for political prisoners. Our study analyzes suicides in this camp during the Soviet period. Data was collected from the archives of Sachsenhausen Memorial, Special Camp Collection. Original documents containing certificates or autopsy reports of prisoners who committing suicide were reviewed. In this period, authorities registered 17 suicides. The age of suicides was between 19 and 64 years. The most frequent cause of imprisonment was Blockleiter (Kapo in Nazi period, n = 4), Mitarbeiter Gestapo (member of the Gestapo, n = 3) and Wehrmacht (military, n = 3). Hanging was the most frequent method of suicide. The average time spent in the camp until suicide was 715 days. The number of recorded suicides under Soviet control is considerably lower (calculated rate 2.8/10,000 per year) than under Nazi control (calculated rate 11/10,000 per year). This could be due to comparably more favorable conditions for prisoners and the abolishment of the death penalty during this period. Possible motives for suicides include feelings of guilt for crimes committed, fear of punishment and a misguided understanding of honor on the eve of criminal trials.