Year: 2007 Source: Journal of Neural Transmission, v.114, no.4, (2007), p.479-487 SIEC No: 20100942

5 peripheral serotonergic markers were assessed simultaneously. Of 60 acutely suicidal inpatients, 45 were suicide attempters. 28 nonsuicidal patients with major depression & 123 healthy volunteers served as control groups. Mean platelet 5HT concentration was significantly lower in suicidal inpatients when compared to nonsuicidal depressed patients, but did not differ from the figure in healthy subjects. Nonsuicidal depressed patients showed significantly higher mean platelet-5HT concentration than healthy controls. Observed differences in peripheral serotonergic markers between groups were partially due to a significant gender effect. It is concluded the conflicting observations of this study & others make it doubtful whether &, if so, to what extent platelet studies can provide valid information on serotonergic mechanisms related to suicidal behaviour. (68 refs.) JA