Biological Correlations of Suicide and Aggressivity in Major Depressions (with Melancholia): 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid and Cortisol in Cerebral Spinal Fluid, Dexamethasone Suppression Test and Therapeutic Response to 5-Hydroxytryptophan

Abstract

5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and cortisol in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), response of the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and the clinical response to treatment with 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTp) plus carbidopa were studied in a group of 21 depressed inpatients (major depression with melancholia) in order to correlate biological findings with psychopathologicalones. A positive correlation was found between strong suicidal thoughts, suicidal attempts and self-aggressivity and low concentration of 5-HIAA in CSF and a less significant but still positive correlation with abnormal DST response and with clinical response to the treatment.