Brain Gamma-Aminobutyrate Transaminase and Monoamine Oxidase Activities in Suicide Victims

The activity of gamma-aminobutyrate aminotransferase (GABA-T) & monoamine oxidase (MAO-A & -B) was measured in the brains of 19 suicide victims & 23 controls. Suicides were classified according to the use of violent or nonviolent methods & to the presence or absence of a known history of depressive disorder. No difference was found between the 2 groups with respect to GABA-T or MAO-B activity. With MAO-A, however, a significant elevation was found in the hypothalamic region of the suicides.