Abstract
Commentary: CSF and Plasma Testosterone in Attempted Suicide.
Highlights
A recent research report “CSF and plasma testosterone in attempted suicide” by Stefansson et al published in Psychoneuroendocrinology is an important and timely contribution to the field [1]
This research work is important because it shows that testosterone may be involved in the pathophysiology of suicidal behavior and because it suggests a potential psychobiological mechanism: it appears that impulsivity and aggressiveness may mediate the effect of testosterone on suicidality
I suggested that if testosterone plays a role in the neurobiology of suicidal behavior, this connection may be related to [1] a direct effect of testosterone on suicidality; [2] a testosterone effect on mood and, suicidality; [3] a testosterone effect on cognition and, suicidality; and [4] a testosterone effect on aggression and, suicidality
Summary
The role of testosterone in the pathophysiology of suicidal behavior remains unclear. A recent research report “CSF and plasma testosterone in attempted suicide” by Stefansson et al published in Psychoneuroendocrinology is an important and timely contribution to the field [1]. The authors examined the CSF and plasma testosterone and cortisol levels in medication-free suicide attempters and healthy volunteers. The authors assessed the relationship between the testosterone/cortisol ratio, aggressiveness, and impulsivity in suicide attempters.
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