Growth Hormone Response to Clonidine in Nondepressed Patients With a History of Suicide Attempts

Growth hormone responses to intravenous clonidine challenge were measured in nondepressed patients with a history of suicide attempts. Patients were subgrouped into suicide attempters (n=7) & nonattempters (n=11). The clonidine test was performed on all subjects at bedrest after an overnight fast. Mean growth hormone responses to clonidine did not differ between the 2 groups. A blunted growth hormone response to clonidine did not appear to be a reliable biological marker of suicidal behaviour.