The Norepinephrine-To-Epinephrine Ratio in Patients With a History of Suicide Attempts

Norepinephrine & epinephrine were measured serially in 24-hour urine collections from 99 adult male psychiatric inpatients with mixed diagnoses, who were divided into a suicide attempt group & those without such a history. The ratio of norepinephrine to epinephrine levels was significantly lower in the group with a history of suicide attempts. The authors discuss the possibility that a low norepinephrine-to-epinephrine ratio is a risk factor for suicidal behaviour. 31 ref.