Brain Beta-Adrenoceptor Binding Sites in Antidepressant-Free Depressed Suicide Victims

In this study, B-adrenoceptor binding sites were quantitated by saturation binding of 3-HCGP 12177 in 9 brain regions from 21 suicide victims who had been diagnosed with depression, but had not recieved antidepressant drugs. A control group was also used. The authors found that depression in suicide victims is associated with deficits in B-adrenoceptor binding sites, largely restricted to cortical areas. Those who died by violent means had the lowest deficits. (VM)