Is MAO-B activity in platelets associated with the occurrence of suicidality and behavioural personality traits in depressed patients?
OBJECTIVE
Low platelet monoaminoxidase B (MAO-B) activity has been associated with various forms of impulsive behaviour and suicidality. The present study investigated the relationship between MAO-B activity in platelets and aspects of suicidality in depressed patients and controls.


METHODS
In 87 patients with affective spectrum disorders (58% suffering from a major depressive episode - MDE) the potential association between platelet MAO-B activity and suicidality was examined. Fifty-nine of the patients had committed suicide attempt recently (SA -'suicide attempters'), 28 patients were acutely depressed without having shown suicidal thoughts or suicidal behaviour in the past (NA -'non-suicide attempters').


RESULTS
The SA and NA were comparable as to their diagnoses and general demographic and psychopathological parameters. MAO-B activity did not differ between SA and NA. No systematic correlations existed between MAO-B activity and any dimensions of suicidal behaviour or psychopathology. As a single finding only a weak positive association of higher MAO-B activity in SA with a fatal intention of the SA was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings do not support a consistent association of platelet MAO-B activity and suicidal behaviour in general, but specific facts of suicidality might be associated.
Lewitzka
U
U
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany. ute.lewitzka@uniklinikum-dresden.de
Müller-Oerlinghausen
B
B
Felber
W
W
Brunner
J
J
Hawellek
B
B
Rujescu
D
D
Ising
M
M
Lauterbach
E
E
Broocks
A
A
Bondy
B
B
Rao
M L
ML
Frahnert
C
C
Heuser
I
I
Hohagen
F
F
Maier
W
W
Bronisch
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012074:Remission Induction; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase