title: Studies of CSF 5-HIAA in depression and suicidal behaviour.
abstract: The present series of studies of CSF monoamine metabolites support the hypothesis of a role for serotonin in depressive illness, insofar that depressed patients have slightly lower CSF 5-HIAA concentrations than normal controls. Apparently a normal association between CSF 5-HIAA and platelet MAO activity is disrupted in depression. The importance of serotonin does not, however, appear to be confined to depressive illness. There is a strong association between a low CSF 5-HIAA and a tendency to suicidal behaviour, also outside the setting of depression. The nature of this relationship is unclear, but it is suggested that certain personality features may form a mediating link. A connection between a low serotonin turnover and a weakened control of aggressive or hostile impulses is one possibility.
mesh_terms: D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000201:enzymology; D002997:Clomipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003863:Depression / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000097:blood; D012016:Reference Values; D013406:Suicide, Attempted
chemical_list: D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase; D002997:Clomipramine; D006854:Hydrocortisone