Resource Tag: AMINES

In this study, brain tissue samples from 23 suicide victims & 62 control subjects were analyzed within 20 hours after death. The authors found significantly higher amounts of the serotonin metabolite (5-HIAA) & increased maximal impramine binding (IB) in the right hemisphere of the mediofrontal region of the brain. There was no difference in the […]

Tested the hypothesis that low intake of tryptophan relative to certain other amino acids is associated with higher suicide rates, since tryptophan is the dietary precursor of serotonin & low levels of the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid have been reported to be associated with suicide. 32 countries were matched on the basis of dietary tryptophan […]

This study compares 3-H-imipramine binding in 10 patients with major depression, to that in 29 health volunteers, 13 patients with panic disorders, 9 patients with bulimia, 9 suicide attempters, & 6 schizophrenic patients. The authors found a significant reduction of the maximum binding capacity in all groups of patients as compared with healthy controls. They […]

The authors conducted a follow-up study to test the degree to which psychobiological variables, which previously had discriminated suicide attempters & impulsive offenders from controls, could discriminate recidivists in a sample of violent offenders & impulsive fire setters. They found that low cerbrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentrations or homovanillic acid & low blood glucose nadir […]

A 5-year follow-up study of suicidal behavior among depressed patients who earlier had determinations of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of monoamine metabolites. Reattempters, especially melancholic patients, had significantly lower CSF levels of the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid & dopamine metabolite homovanillic acid. Thus reduced CSF levels may be related to further suicidal behavior among depressed […]

This discussion of possible biological contributions to suicide includes evolutionary perspectives; causes of suicide in primitive cultures; a sociobiological synthesis of suicide; heritable factors such as family, twin, & genetic influences; & biological markers such as the pituitary-adrenocortical axis & biogenic amine metabolites. Recommends that psychiatric evaluation for suicide should include a thorough family history […]

This chapter discusses possible physiological reasons for why suicide may occur. Neurotransmitters and their effect on mood are discussed. Acute stressors can affect the activity of catcholamines & deplete monoamines, perhaps indicating a more suicidal person. Lower levels of catecholamines and serotonin have been found in the brains of suicide victims. Pain sensitivity to physiological […]

This article reviews research on serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), & norepinephrine (NE) as possible biochemical markers of depression & suicide. Studies appear to suggest a relationship among monoamine levels, depression & suicide – particularly between low levels of serotonin, the neurotransmitter metabolite (5-HIAA) & suicidal behavior. Post-mortem studies & animal studies are discussed, as well […]

This article reviews the current studies linking suicidal behavior & biological factors, & discusses some methodological problems in this research field. Studies on serotonin, cortisol, monaminergic transmission, melatonin & magnesium, endocrinologic markers, thryoid axis, & genetics are outlined. The authors conclude by suggesting research priorities, such as discovering new, more easily accessible serotonin markers that […]

This study measures biogenic amines in postmortem CSF from suicide victims & nonsuicides. The authors found that the serotonin (5-HT) levels were increased by a mean factor of about 3 for both cranial & lumbar CSF. The other amines analyzed – dopamine, epinephrine, morepinephrine & the 3-methoxy metabolites of these amines – showed no significant […]

This chapter describes: 1) postmortem studies of biogenic amines & their metabolites in suicide studies & controls; 2) postmortem studies that have applied receptor binding methods; 3) CSF studies that have been conducted in various groups of suicide attempters; & 4) neuroendocrine studies in suicide & suicidal behavior. The potential of biological measures as predictors […]

This chapter reviews some neurochemical findings in postmortem suicide studies of brain levels of biogenic amines & their metabolites. The major ones are: serotonergic dysfunction was found in suicides, irrespective of diagnosis; this relationship seems constant across the age span. These findings, along with other data, suggest a “2-condition” theory: suicide derives in part from […]

Alcoholic patients grouped according to whether they started abusing alcohol before or after 20 years of age were studied as to relationships between tryptophan availability & mood & aggression regulation. Significant associations were found only in the early alcoholism onset group. This data is compatible with the interpretation that patients with early alcoholism have a […]

In vitro quantitative autoradiography of high-affinity tritiated imipramine binding sites was performed on brains of 12 suicides & 12 controls. Specific differences were found. Pyramidal & molecular layers of the cornu ammoni hippocampul fields & the hilus of the dentate gyrus showed increases in binding in suicides while the postcentral cortical gyrus, insular cortex & […]

Van Praag reviews recent biochemical research & concludes that most studies have found a correlation between suicidal behavior & low levels of CSF 5-HIAA; that evidence of a connection between violence & the attempt is equivocal and that the theory that low CSF 5-HIAA levels predict increased suicide risk has not yet been confirmed. The […]

Borderline personality disorder defines a group of patients who are characterized by impulsivity, unpredictable behavior, inappropriate aggression, intense & unstable relationships, & are often associated with repeated suicidal behavior. An association has been suggested between these behaviors & biochemical disturbances. These disturbances & the use of drug therapy are examined by the author. 10 Refs. […]

It was hypothesized that when relative dietary intake of tryptophan per capita is low compared to certain other amino acids, less serotonin is formed in brain neurons, and suicide rates tend to be high. The hypothesis was supported for males and for both sexes combined.

There is need for additional instruments to alert the clinician more effectively to the high self destructive potetial of some of his/her suicide-risk patients. In this study it was found that suicides-to-be tended to have higher plasma cortisols than suicidal patients who did not subsequently commit suicide within 2 years of the test. Discusses possible […]

Reviews work concerning human aggression, auto-aggression (Suicide), & the role of centre serotonin. THe impact of a “high-risk – low 5-HIAA group” upon clinical psychiatric practice is discussed. Damaging & self-destructive experience & behavior, & its biochemical aspects, are seen as a dysbalance syndrome causing well-defined vulnerability which, in turn becomes the basis of the […]

Outlines 2 beginning statement as to how antidepressants increase the amount of MA at the central receptors &, at the same time, do not have the same effect on all patients, even if they belong to the same diagnostic category. Questions areising from these statements are addressed and tentative answers are offered. The amount of […]

Presents a study in which MHPG was measured in the cerebrospinal fluid & urine of patients suffering from a unipolar depressive illness before & after recovery, in a control group of patients being investigated for neurological disorders, & also in 2 healthy volunteers. The concentration of MHPG in depressive patients did not differ significantly from […]

This chapter reviews the evidence of biological involvement in some cases of suicide, most of which emanates from research on the psychobiology of depression. This reseach is reviewed, & suicide is discussed in conjuction with serotonin, other monoamines, & neuroendocrinology. Inter-relations between monoamines & endocrine variables are reviewed briefly. Some conclusions are put forward & […]

Eight suicidal psychiatric patients participated in a study of the effects of fenfluramine on suicidal behavior. Findings, although of a preliminary nature, are supportive of the hypothesis that suicidal behavior may be independent of diagnostic categorization & are also consistent with a serotonergic deficit. 18 Refs. (LH)