title: Biochemical aspects of suicidal behavior.
abstract: 1. In completed suicides, studies of brain regions and CSF indicate a dysfunction of the serotonergic system. 2. In suicidal patients, regardless of diagnoses, analyses of monoamine metabolites in lumbar CSF reveal decreased concentrations of the serotonin metabolite 5-HIAA. 3. In depressed suicidal patients, both low CSF 5-HIAA and low concentrations of the dopamine metabolite HVA are associated with suicidality. In addition, pathological dexamethasone-tests may indicate an increased suicide-risk in these patients. 4. In depressed patients, there is evidence that the association between CSF 5-HIAA and corticosteroids is in contrast to findings in depressed suicidal patients.
authors.affiliation: Dept. Psychiatry, Lund University Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Traskman-Bendz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asberg
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nordstrom
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stanley
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D001519:Behavior; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D012701:Serotonin / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D013405:Suicide; D013406:Suicide, Attempted
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D012701:Serotonin