title: Aggression and suicide attempts: preliminary data.
abstract: The similarities between blood platelets and serotonin (5HT) neurons offer a reliable tool of exploring 5HT system. The aim of our study was to evaluate platelet [3H]imipramine binding in suicide attempters, as compared with depressed patients and healthy controls. In addition, we measured aggressive features in the 3 groups, by a standardized rating scale, the Inventory for assessing different kinds of ostility (QTA). The results showed a significant decrease in the maximum binding capacity (Bmax) of 3H-imipramine binding to platelet membranes in suicide attempters, who also exhibited higher total and single item scores at QTA than healthy controls or depressed patients. Both biological and psychological findings are suggestive of an aggression dysregulation in suicide attempters.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Clinic, University of Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marazziti
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Conti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D007099:Imipramine