Brains of 11 depressed suicides showed an increase in water content and low concentrations of sodium. 6 alcoholics had a remarkably high water and sodium content and low concentrations of potassium and chloride. Uncertainties inherent in this type of study include possibly inaccurate psychiatric diagnosis, previous drug and resuscitative therapies, and lack of information on the hydration and nutrition states at the time of death. (24 ref)