A Follow Up Study of Suicide Attempters: Increase of CSF-Somatostatin but no Change in CSF-CRH

This study was designed to look for CSF-CRH & CSF-somatostatin alterations along with clinical changes in patients studied repeatedly after a suicide attempt. 16 patients with different diagnoses participated. At follow-up (a median of 7 months), Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale & Suicidal Assessment Scale scores were significantly decreased, whereas CSF-somatostatin was significantly increased. CSF-CRH had not changed significantly. The patients showed long-lasting low CSF-CRH concentrations, in spite of changed CSF-somatostatin concentrations & clinical amelioration. (47 refs.)