title: Platelet serotonin and [3H]paroxetine binding correlate with recurrence of suicidal behavior.
abstract: To distinguish state- from trait-dependent associations between serotonergic function and suicidal behavior, platelet serotonergic measures were repeatedly measured, during a 1-year follow-up, in 106 patients who had recently attempted suicide for at least a second time. A major DSM-III-R axis I diagnosis or use of antidepressants were reasons for exclusion. A higher affinity constant (KD) of platelet [3H]paroxetine binding was related to a higher risk of short-term recurrence of a suicide attempt, suggesting a state relationship. Higher levels of platelet serotonin at baseline were a significant predictor of a recurrent suicide attempt within the year of follow-up, suggesting a trait relationship. These associations held equally within the subgroup of 73 patients with a borderline personality disorder. Neither the maximum number of binding sites (Bmax) of [3H]paroxetine nor platelet monoamine oxidase activity correlated with suicidality. The observed association between indicators of platelet serotonin uptake and suicidal behavior suggests a state- and trait-dependency between suicidality and central serotonergic dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Hospital, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Verkes
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fekkes
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Zwinderman
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Hengeveld
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Van der Mast
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Tuyl
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kerkhof
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Van Kempen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000378:metabolism*; D012008:Recurrence; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted; D014316:Tritium
chemical_list: D014316:Tritium; D012701:Serotonin; D017374:Paroxetine