Serotonin uptake by platelets of suicidal and aggressive adolescent psychiatric inpatients

Thirty-four adolescent psychiatric inpatients were studied in order to find out whether there is a correlation between serotonin platelet uptake (SPU), suicidality and aggression. The patients were divided into four main diagnostic groups according to clinical data: borderline personality disorder, affective disorder (unipolar) including schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia and 'others'. These patients were also characterized by the quantitative symptoms profile from K-SADS scale (Children's Version of the Schedule of Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia) and by their behavior: aggression, suicide attempts and violent suicide attempts. In the schizophrenic group, a correlation was found between low V(max) values of SPU and aggressive behavior (p <0.05). In addition, in the 'other' group a correlation was found between low V(max) values of SPU and conduct disorder (p <0.05). On the other hand, in 'other' patients a correlation was found between low K(m) values of SPU and violent suicide attempt (p <0.05). It is noteworthy that the lowest (20-35%) V(max) values of SPU were found in the patients of the affective group as compared to values of the three other diagnostic groups. These findings are similar to those concerning unipolar depressive adults. It is assumed that there are less binding sites for serotonin on platelets of depressive adolescents than was suggested for depressive adults.