Reduced CSF Concentrations of Homovanillic Acid & Homovanillic Acid to 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid Ratios in Depressed Patients: Relationaship to Suicidal Behavior & Dexamethasone Nonsuppression

Depressed patients who had attempted suicide had significantly lower CSF homovanillic acid (HVA) than patients who had not attempted suicide and control subjects. Patients who had attempted suicide had CSF HVA/5-HIAA ratios that were nearly 50% of those at the control subjects. The combinations of nonsuppression on the dexamethasone suppression test and either a low CSF HVA ratio were significantly more common among those patients who had attempted suicide. 45 refs.