Year: 1980 Source: Psychiatry Research, v.3, (1980), p.225-236 SIEC No: 20021035

Suicidality scores from the Schedule for Affective Disorders & Schizophrenia on 21 unipolar & 12 bipolar depressives were correlated with monoamine metabolites in the cerebrospinal fluid using multiple regression analyses. The single item of Suicidal Tendencies Worst Week correlated highly significantly & negatively with 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) & only to a very slight degree with 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA). Seriousness of Intent of Worst Suicide Attempt earlier in life correlated significantly & negatively with both MHPG & 5HIAA. Subjective Anger was positively & Overt Anger negatively associated with thoughts of suicide. The results support earlier reports that depressives with low 5HIAA are prone to violent suicides, but also point to the equal, if nto even greater involvement of MHPG & noradrenergic neuronal systems in carrying out a wish for death. (5 refs)