A comparison of genetic versus non-genetic contribution of serotonin to suicide

Suicide is a complex and multifaceted public health issue that has been intensively studied to identify its contributing factors. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter essential for affective regulation and mood control, has been linked to suicidal propensity. Understanding the relative contribution of serotonin’s genetic versus non-genetic influences is essential for the development of effective preventive measures, given […]

Panic disorder and suicidal behavior: A follow-up study of patients treated with cognitive therapy and SSRIs in Hungary

Background: Previous research has suggested that patients with panic disorder but no comorbid disorder are not at greater risk for suicidal behavior. Aims: The present study followed up patients with panic disorder in order to assess the frequency of their suicidal behavior. Methods: A sample of 281 outpatients with panic disorder, but without a comorbid psychiatric disorder, was […]

Vitamin D in depression: A potential bioactive agent to reduce suicide and suicide attempt risk

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every year, more than 700 thousand people die from this cause. Therefore, suicide is a public health issue. The complex interaction between different factors causes suicide; however, depression is one of the most frequent factors in people who […]

Increased readmission rates in younger male patients due to suicidal risk in newly diagnosed depressive disorders after initiation of serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Background Depressive disorders have a prevalence of 322 million people worldwide and are a leading cause of morbidity. These disorders can affect individuals of all ages and can present over time. Due to the diversity in the  presentation of depressive disorders, vigilance towards depressive disorders can lead to more timely and effective treatment. Serotonin Selective […]

Serotonin modifies the impact of sleep disturbance on suicidality in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Background: This study investigated the associations of sleep disturbance and serum serotonin levels with suicidal ideation, and evaluated the potential modifying effects of serotonin on these associations in patients with the acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: In total, 969 ACS patients were recruited from a tertiary university hospital in Korea within 2 weeks of disease onset and […]

The serotonin theory of depression: A systematic umbrella review of the evidence

The serotonin hypothesis of depression is still influential. We aimed to synthesise and evaluate evidence on whether depression is associated with lowered serotonin concentration or activity in a systematic umbrella review of the principal relevant areas of research. PubMed, EMBASE and PsycINFO were searched using terms appropriate to each area of research, from their inception […]

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and their effect on patient aggression in adult Patients in a state psychiatric facility: A retrospective analysis

Objective: The utility of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) has been overshadowed by the box warning they received when the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified an increased risk of suicidality in patients 24 years of age or younger. Newer studies have identified suicidality as self-aggression and hypothesized whether this might also apply […]

Suicide risk with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other new-generation antidepressants in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Background: There is ongoing controversy whether antidepressant use alters suicide risk in adults with depression and other treatment indications. Methods: Systematic review of observational studies, searching MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, PsycARTICLES and SCOPUS for case-control and cohort studies. We included studies on depression and various indications unspecified (including off-label use) reporting risk of suicide and/or suicide […]

Quantification of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptor binding in depressed suicide attempters and non-attempters

Objective: To determine serotonin system abnormalities related to major depression or previous suicidal behavior. Methods: [11C]WAY100635, [18F]altanserin and positron emission tomography were used to compare 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A binding in MDD patients divided into eight past suicide attempters (>4yrs prior to scanning) and eight lifetime non-attempters, and both groups were compared to eight healthy volunteers. Results: The […]

Platelet serotonin as biomarker for assessing suicidal behaviour in patients with bipolar I disorder

Context. Suicide is a global public health issue. Bipolar disorder (BPD) has the highest suicide risk among individuals suffering from mental disorders. Serotoninergic dysfunctions have been linked to suicidal behaviour and platelet serotonin is recognised as a reliable index for the presynaptic serotonin activity. Objective. Our aim was to assess whether alterations occur in platelet […]

Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors and suicidal ideation and behavior in children

Depression is one of the most common mood disorders among children and adolescents, occurring in approximately 2% of children and 6.5% of adolescents in the United States.1,2 Between 20% and 40% of these patients may have a relapse within two years. Each episode usually lasts about eight months, and symptoms may include irritability, apathy, hopelessness, decreased […]

Animal models of suicide trait-related behaviors

Although antidepressants are at least moderately effective in treating major depressive disorder (MDD), concerns have arisen that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are associated with suicidal thinking and behavior, especially in children, adolescents, and young adults. Virtually no experimental research in model systems has considered the mechanisms by which SSRIs may be associated with this […]

Serotonin brain circuits involved in major depression and suicide.

Throughout his life and his work, Cajal realized the potential of the neurons he was so carefully studying and how, grouped in systems, they served the special senses and the maintenance and proper functioning of the organism. Over the past 25 years, major depression and suicide have come to be recognized as associated with alteration […]

Early evidence on the effects of regulators`suicidality warnings on SSRI prescriptions and suicide in children and adolescents

Objective: In 2003 and 2004, U.S. and European regulators issued public health warnings about a possible association between antidepressants and suicidal thinking and behavior. The authors assessed whether these warnings discouraged use of antidepressants in children and adolescents and whether they led to increases in suicide rates as a result of untreated depression. Method: The authors examined U.S. […]

Methodological flaws, conflicts of interest, and scientific fallacies: Implications for the evaluation of antidepressants`efficacy and harm

Background: In current psychiatric practice, antidepressants are widely and with ever-increasing frequency prescribed to patients. However, several scientific biases obfuscate estimates of antidepressants’ efficacy and harm, and these are barely recognized in treatment guidelines. The aim of this mini-review is to critically evaluate the efficacy and harm of antidepressants for acute and maintenance treatment with respect […]

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors versus placebo in patients with major depressive disorder: A systematic review with meta-analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis.

The evidence on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for major depressive disorder is unclear. Methods Our objective was to conduct a systematic review assessing the effects of SSRIs versus placebo, ‘active’ placebo, or no intervention in adult participants with major depressive disorder. We searched for eligible randomised clinical trials in The Cochrane Library’s CENTRAL, PubMed, […]

Region-specific alterations of A-to-I RNA editing of serotonin 2c receptor in the cortex of suicides with major depression.

Brain region-specific abnormalities in serotonergic transmission appear to underlie suicidal behavior. Alterations of RNA editing on the serotonin receptor 2C (HTR2C) pre-mRNA in the brain of suicides produce transcripts that attenuate 5-HT2CR signaling by impairing intracellular G-protein coupling and subsequent intracellular signal transduction. In brain, the distribution of RNA-editing enzymes catalyzing deamination (A-to-I modification) shows […]

Tryptophan hydroxylase gene 218A/C polymorphism is not associated with depressed suicide.

Abnormalities in functioning of the central serotonergic system are believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of depressive illness and suicidal behaviour. Recently, polymorphism in the tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) gene has been studied for association with aggression, anger-related traits and suicidal behaviour, but the results are inconclusive. The present investigation was to determine whether there […]

Cigarette smoking and tryptophan hydroxylase 2 mRNA in the Dorsal Raphe Nucleus in suicides.

Journal copy held in CSP Library.

Suicidality and aggression during antidepressant treatment: Systematic review and meta-analyses based on clinical study reports.

Objective To study serious harms associated with selective serotonin and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Main outcome measures Mortality and suicidality. Secondary outcomes were aggressive behaviour and akathisia.We included 70 trials (64 381 pages of clinical study reports) with 18 526 patients. These trials had limitations in the study design and discrepancies […]

Physician perception regarding side-effect profile at the onset of antidepressant treatment: A survey of Israeli psychiatrists and primary care physicians.

One of the major factors affecting treatment compliance and outcome in patients is the wide range of side effects (SEs) associated with antidepressants. In the present study, we aimed to assess the extent to which Israeli primary care (PC) physicians and psychiatrists discuss the SEs of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) with patients prior to […]

Season of birth is different in Inuit suicide victims born into traditional than into modern lifestyle: A register study from Greenland.

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Ethnicity moderates the association between 5-HTTLPR and National Suicide Rates.

The association between ethnicity, national suicide rates, and the functional serotonin transporter gene polymorphism (5-HTTLPR), under consideration of the role of economic indicators, national alcohol intake, and national happiness scores was analyzed with an ecologic analysis.