Suicide Brain is Associated With Decreased Expression of Neurotrophins

This study further evaluated the role of neurotrophins in the pathophysiologic mechanisms of suicide. Messenger ribonucleic acid, levels of nerve growth factor, neurotrophin, cyclophilin, & neuron-specific enolase were measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. 28 suicide victims & 21 control subjects were included in the study. Findings indicated altered expression of neurotrophins in the postmortem brain of suicide victims suggesting that these molecules might play a vital role in the pathophysiology of suicide. (72 refs.)