Year: 2008 Source: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, v.258, no.8, (December 2008), p.456-462 SIEC No: 20100873

This study investigated stressful life events & biological stress markers among former psychiatric inpatients who were followed up 12 years after an index suicide attempt. At the time of the index attempt, & before treatment, cerebrospinal fluid samples were taken & urine was collected. Data concerning stressful life events were collected retrospectively from all participants through semi-structured interviews. Patients who reported sexual abuse during childhood & adolesence had significantly higher levels of cerebrospinal fluid-3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycole & urine-noradrenaline/adrenaline than those who had not. Low 24-hour urine-cortisol was associated with feelings of neglect during childhood & adolescence. (47 refs.) JA