Year: 2001 Source: Psychoneuroendocrinology, v.26, no.5, (July 2001), p.521-537 SIEC No: 20040332

The aim of this study was to investigate whether hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity is associated with 5-HT dysfunction in depressed patients, especially in those with suicidal behavior. Patients with a history of suicide attempt, when compared with patients without such a history, showed lower hormonal responses to d-fenfluarmine but comparable basal & post-desamethasone suppression test cortisol levels. The results suggest that in depression HPA axis hyperactivity is not responsible for the reduced 5-HT activity found in patients with a history of suicidal behavior. (78 refs)