title: Diurnal rhythms of plasma cortisol, beta-endorphin and prolactin, and cerebrospinal fluid amine metabolite levels before suicide. Case report.
abstract: There are indications to suggest a relationship between low levels of 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid (5HIAA) in the cerebrospinal fluid and suicidal behavior. Many depressed patients show an elevated cortisol secretion. As beta-endorphin is derived from the same precursor as ACTH, it is expected that plasma beta-endorphin levels will also rise in depressed patients. We report here a case of severe depression with diurnal variation who showed low CSF 5HIAA prior to his suicide. In contrast, his catecholamine metabolites were 50% above the mean values of other depressed patients. Hormonal measurements, however, showed low cortisol, prolactin and beta-endorphin levels.
mesh_terms: D002395:Catecholamines / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D004723:Endorphins / Q000097:blood*; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008297:Male; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D013405:Suicide; D001615:beta-Endorphin
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D004723:Endorphins; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D011388:Prolactin; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D006719:Homovanillic Acid