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Related Experiment Videos

Prediction of suicidal behavior from biologic tests.

L Träskman-Bendz1, C Alling, L Oreland

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.

Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology
|April 1, 1992
PubMed
Summary

Violent suicide attempts were linked to lower 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and higher 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). These biochemical markers may offer insights into suicidal behavior, though further research is needed.

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Area of Science:

  • Neurobiology
  • Psychiatry
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Suicidal behavior research often focuses on monoaminergic and corticosteroidal systems.
  • Previous studies suggest a link between biochemical markers and suicidal tendencies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate biochemical differences in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and urine between violent and nonviolent suicide attempters.
  • To explore potential biochemical predictors of completed suicide and repeated suicidal behavior.

Main Methods:

  • Measured CSF monoamine metabolites (5-HIAA, HVA, MHPG) in 61 medication-free suicide attempters.
  • Assessed 24-hour urinary norepinephrine-epinephrine and cortisol, platelet monoamine oxidase activity, and post-dexamethasone plasma cortisol.
  • Compared biochemical measures between violent (N=18) and nonviolent (N=43) attempters, and analyzed data for completed suicides and repeat attempters.

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Main Results:

  • Violent attempters showed lower CSF 5-HIAA and higher CSF MHPG compared to the median.
  • No significant differences in CSF HVA, urinary catecholamines, cortisol, or platelet MAO activity were found between violent and nonviolent groups.
  • Completed suicides had low CSF 5-HIAA and high CSF MHPG; repeat attempters often had low 24-hour urinary cortisol.

Conclusions:

  • CSF 5-HIAA and MHPG levels may differentiate violent suicide attempters.
  • While preliminary, findings suggest potential roles for CSF 5-HIAA and MHPG in understanding suicidal behavior.
  • Urinary cortisol may be associated with repeated suicidal behavior, but small subgroup sizes limit definitive conclusions.