Plasma serotonin levels and suicidal behavior in adolescents

Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2006 Jan;16(1):49-57. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2005.05.005. Epub 2005 Aug 1.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior* / psychology
  • Aggression
  • Child
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / methods
  • Depressive Disorder / blood
  • Electrochemistry / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / blood
  • Mental Disorders / complications
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychometrics / methods
  • Serotonin / blood*
  • Sex Factors
  • Suicide, Attempted / psychology*

Substances

  • Serotonin