Year: 1989 Source: Madison, Conn.: International Universities Press, 1989. p.73-86 SIEC No: 19900475

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 for suicide & calls for continued efforts to find a biological marker.