Reduced Tyrosine Hydroxylase Immunoreactivity in Locus Coeruleus of Suicide Victims

Antibodies against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH, the rate-limiting enzyme in norepinephrine synthesis) & dopamine hydroxylase (DBH) were used for immunohistochemical staining of human brain locus coeruleus sections, obtained postmortem from suicide victims & matched controls. Mean stain density for TH was significantly lower in the locus coeruleus of suicide victims. There was no difference between suicides & controls in DBH immunoreactivity or in the number of TH immunoreactive cells. (19 Refs.)