Positron Emission Tomography of Regional Brain Metabolic Responses to a Serotonergic Challenge and Lethality of Suicide Attempts in Major Depression

The authors studied serotonergic response in the ventral prefrontal cortex (PFC) in depressed patients surviving a high-lethality suicide attempt. Subjects were scanned after a single-blind placebo & after fenfluramine hydrochoride administration on a second day. Brain responses were measured by positron emission tomography imaging of fludeoyglucose F 18 & serial prolactin levels. Lower PFC activity was associated with lower lifetime impulsivity, higher suicidal intent, & higher-lethality suicide attempts. (39 refs)