title: Reduced CSF concentrations of homovanillic acid and homovanillic acid to 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid ratios in depressed patients: relationship to suicidal behavior and dexamethasone nonsuppression.
abstract: Depressed patients who had attempted suicide (N = 19) had significantly lower CSF homovanillic acid (HVA) levels than patients who had not attempted suicide (N = 8) and control subjects (N = 41). Intergroup levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were not significantly different. The ratio of CSF HVA to CSF 5-HIAA was significantly lower in both patient groups than in control subjects, and patients who had attempted suicide had CSF HVA/5-HIAA ratios that were nearly 50% those of the control subjects. The combinations of nonsuppression on the dexamethasone suppression test and either a low CSF HVA level or a low CSF HVA/5-HIAA ratio were significantly more common among patients who had attempted suicide than among those who had not.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005260:Female; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D006719:Homovanillic Acid