title: Platelet markers in suicide attempters.
abstract: 1. The authors measured 3H-imipramine (3H-IMI) binding and serotonin (5HT) uptake parameters as well as sulphotransferase activity in platelets of suicide attempters. 2. Platelet 3H-IMI binding sites and 5HT uptake are related to similar sites and processes present in the brain, and sulphotransferase (ST) is an enzyme involved in the catabolism of cathecholamines. 3. The results showed the presence of a decreased density of both 3H-IMI binding and of 5HT uptake sites, with no change in ST activity in suicide attempters, as compared with healthy controls. 4. The reduced 3H-IMI binding and 5HT uptake may be related to a hypofunction of presynaptic serotonergic mechanisms which might be altered in suicidal behavior.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marazziti
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Presta
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Silvestri
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Battistini
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mosti
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Balestri
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Palego
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Conti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D015415:Biomarkers; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D013406:Suicide, Attempted; D015238:Sulfotransferases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D012701:Serotonin; D015238:Sulfotransferases; D007099:Imipramine