Self-Rated Childhood Emotional Neglect and CSF Monoamine Indices in Abstinent Cocaine-Abusing Adults: Possible Implications for Suicidal Behavior

The authors examine whether childhood trauma might be related to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) as an adult. A study of 29 withdrawn cocaine-dependent patients found that patients with childhood emotional neglect scores above the median had significantly lower CSF 5-HIAA & HVA levels than patients with low scores, suggesting that childhood trauma may have an effect on the central monoamine function of adults & may contribute to suicidal behavior. (39 refs)