Alterations in brain cholecystokinin receptors in suicide victims

Cholecystokinin (CCK) and benzodiazepine receptor binding characteristics were analyzed in the brain tissue samples from 19 suicide victims and 23 control cases. In the frontal cortex, significantly higher apparent number of CCK receptors and affinity constants were found in the series of suicide victims. These differences between suicides and controls were present in similar proportions when the suicide cases with depressive syndrome or violent or non-violent means of self-killing were compared to matched controls. However, when the samples were split into subgroups consisting of persons either below or over the age of 60 years, significant differences in the CCK receptor characteristics in the frontal cortex were observed only between younger suicides and controls. Furthermore, the younger suicide victims had a higher density of CCK receptors in the cingulate cortex, whereas in older suicides the value was lower as compared to age-matched controls. No difference in benzodiazepine receptor binding was found between control and suicide groups. The results of this investigation suggest that CCK-ergic neurotransmission is linked to self-destructive behaviour, probably through its impact on anxiety and adaptational deficits.