Plasma serotonin levels and suicidal behavior in adolescents.
To evaluate the relationship between plasma serotonin (p5-HT) levels and psychometric measures in suicidal adolescents vs. controls, 211 adolescents from three sites in Israel were divided into four groups: suicidal psychiatric inpatients (n=35); non-suicidal psychiatric inpatients (n=30); adolescents referred to the emergency room (ER) due to a suicide attempt (n=51); and a community-based control group from 4 high schools in the same catchment areas (n=95). All were interviewed and assessed for violence, aggression, depression, impulsivity, anger, anxiety, and p5-HT. p5-HT levels were significantly lower in the control group compared to all other groups. A significant negative correlation was found between p5-HT level and suicidal behavior severity among the suicidal inpatients. p5-HT did not discriminate between the psychiatric diagnostic categories and was significantly lower in ER violent compared to non-violent subjects. Gender, depression, and anger were associated with suicidal behavior in all four groups. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores together with p5-HT levels discriminated between healthy controls and other groups. p5-HT level in combination with some of the psychometric scales may serve as a safe and inexpensive peripheral marker of psychopathology, and may help to differentiate between sub-populations of suicidal adolescents. The biological mechanism behind the serotonin dysregulation in suicidal adolescents requires further investigation.
Tyano
Samuel
S
Child and Adolescent Division, Geha Mental Health Center, Petach Tikva, Israel.
Zalsman
Gil
G
Ofek
Hadas
H
Blum
Ilanan
I
Apter
Alan
A
Wolovik
Luisa
L
Sher
Leo
L
Sommerfeld
Eliane
E
Harell
Daniella
D
Weizman
Abraham
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D000374:Aggression; D002648:Child; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*
D012701:Serotonin