Benzodiazepine Receptors in the Post-Mortem Brain of Suicide Victims and Schizophrenic Subjects

The authors determined benzodiazepine receptors in post-morten brain from suicide victims, schizophrenic patients & control subjects. The maximum number of binding sites of benzodiazepine receptors in the cortex of suicide victims was significantly higher compared with controls but this increase was mainly due to those suicide victims who died by violent means. Results suggest that benzodiazepine receptors are up-regulated in the cortex of suicide victims especially those who used violent means.