Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents

Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents

Atypical antidepressants, including bupropion (Wellbutrin), mirtazapine (Remeron), nefazodone (Serzone), trazodone (Desyrel), and vilazodone (Viibryd), offer unique mechanisms of action. Bupropion weakly inhibits dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake, aiding depression treatment and smoking cessation, with a low risk of sexual dysfunction. Mirtazapine enhances serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmission, leading to sedation, increased appetite, and weight gain. As a result, it helps treat...

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...

Depression: Overview

Depression: Overview

Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...

Preparation of Amines: Reductive Amination of Aldehydes and Ketones

Preparation of Amines: Reductive Amination of Aldehydes and Ketones

Carbonyl compounds and primary amines undergo reductive amination first to produce imines, followed by secondary amines in the same reaction mixture, using selective reducing agents like sodium cyanoborohydride or sodium triacetoxyborohydride. Reductive amination produces different degrees of substitution of amines depending on the starting amine substrate.

Introduction to Biological Bases of Psychology

Introduction to Biological Bases of Psychology

Biopsychology serves as a vital bridge connecting the intricate domains of biology and psychology, shedding light on how biological systems influence psychological phenomena. This field scrutinizes the biological substrates of behavior and mental processes, emphasizing the nervous system along with the roles of neurotransmitters, hormones, and genetics. It also incorporates evolutionary perspectives to explain the adaptive nature of mental functions.
The nervous system, the cornerstone of...

G-protein Coupled Receptors

G-protein Coupled Receptors

G-protein coupled receptors are ligand binding receptors that indirectly affect changes in the cell. The actual receptor is a single polypeptide that transverses the cell membrane seven times creating intracellular and extracellular loops. The extracellular loops create a ligand specific pocket which binds to neurotransmitters or hormones. The intracellular loops holds onto the G-protein.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Is There Potential Clinical Utility in Reporting Variants of Uncertain Significance From Prenatal Sequencing?

Prenatal diagnosis·2026

Same author

A molecular grammar for programmable multiphase protein-RNA vesicles.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

Molecular Drivers of RNA Phase Separation.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025

Same author

Mucocutaneous manifestations of systemic amyloidosis in a Black patient.

QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians·2022

Same author

Space time analysis of dengue fever diagnosed through a network of laboratories in India from 2014-2017.

Journal of vector borne diseases·2021

Same author

Childlessness among Muthuvan Tribes of Tamil Nadu, India: An Exploratory Study.

Indian journal of community medicine : official publication of Indian Association of Preventive & Social Medicine·2021

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

A Plate-Based Assay for the Measurement of Endogenous Monoamine Release in Acute Brain Slices

A Plate-Based Assay for the Measurement of Endogenous Monoamine Release in Acute Brain Slices

Published on: August 11, 2021

Suicidal ideation and biogenic amines in depression.

V Palaniappan¹, V Ramachandran, O Somasundaram

¹Asst. Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Madras Medical College and Institute of Mental Health, Madras-600 010.

Indian Journal of Psychiatry

|August 18, 2011

Summary

This study found lower levels of serotonin (5 HT) and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5 HIAA) are linked to increased suicidal thoughts in depression patients.

More Related Videos

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior

Published on: March 2, 2015

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model (CDM)

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model (CDM)

Published on: September 23, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 30, 2026

A Plate-Based Assay for the Measurement of Endogenous Monoamine Release in Acute Brain Slices

A Plate-Based Assay for the Measurement of Endogenous Monoamine Release in Acute Brain Slices

Published on: August 11, 2021

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior

Published on: March 2, 2015

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model (CDM)

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model (CDM)

Published on: September 23, 2021

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Psychiatry
Biochemistry

Background:

Depression is a prevalent mental health disorder associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
Suicidal ideation is a critical symptom of depression, necessitating research into its underlying biological mechanisms.
Biogenic amines, particularly serotonin, are implicated in mood regulation and suicidal behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the association between suicidal ideation severity and levels of specific biogenic amine metabolites.
To explore the relationship between serotonin (5 HT) and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5 HIAA) and suicidal thoughts in depressed individuals.

Main Methods:

Studied 40 patients diagnosed with depression.
Assessed the severity of suicidal ideation using the Hamilton Depressive Rating Scale.
Measured urinary and cerebrospinal fluid (C.S.F.) levels of amine metabolites, including homovanillic acid (HVA), 4-methoxy-3-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5 HIAA).

Main Results:

A significant inverse relationship was observed between the levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5 HIAA) and serotonin (5 HT) and the severity of suicidal ideation.
Lower concentrations of these serotonin-related metabolites correlated with more intense suicidal thoughts.
No clear association was found between homovanillic acid (HVA) or 4-methoxy-3-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) and suicidal ideation severity.

Conclusions:

The findings suggest a potential role for the serotonin system in the pathophysiology of suicidal ideation in depression.
Reduced serotonin availability, indicated by lower 5 HIAA and 5 HT levels, may be a biological marker for increased suicide risk.
Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms linking serotonin pathways to suicidal behavior in depressive disorders.