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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 49-57 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | European Neuropsychopharmacology |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 2006 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This study was supported by Sacta-Rashi Foundation, the Harisson Foundation, The Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Health, and the National Institute For Psychobiology in Israel, Founded by Charles E. Smith Family, Grant No. 99/9b. The authors thank Robyne Diller, PhD, for editing this paper.
Funding
This study was supported by Sacta-Rashi Foundation, the Harisson Foundation, The Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Health, and the National Institute For Psychobiology in Israel, Founded by Charles E. Smith Family, Grant No. 99/9b. The authors thank Robyne Diller, PhD, for editing this paper.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Charles E. Smith Family | 99/9b |
| Harisson Foundation | |
| National Institute for Psychobiology in Israel | |
| Sacta-Rashi Foundation | |
| Ministeriet Sundhed Forebyggelse |
Keywords
- Adolescent
- Aggression
- Depression
- Plasma
- Serotonin
- Suicide
