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); adolescen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European neuropsychopharmacology 2006-01, Vol.16 (1), p.49-57
Main Authors: Tyano, Samuel, Zalsman, Gil, Ofek, Hadas, Blum, Ilanan, Apter, Alan, Wolovik, Luisa, Sher, Leo, Sommerfeld, Eliane, Harell, Daniella, Weizman, Abraham
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior - psychology
Aggression
Child
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid - methods
Depression
Depressive Disorder - blood
Electrochemistry - methods
Female
Humans
Male
Mental Disorders - blood
Mental Disorders - complications
Personality Inventory - statistics & numerical data
Plasma
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Psychometrics - methods
Serotonin
Serotonin - blood
Sex Factors
Suicide
Suicide, Attempted - psychology
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0924-977X
1873-7862
DOI:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2005.05.005