Abstract
We recently had the opportunity to measure at two or three points of time whole blood serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) and monoamine oxidase (MAd) activity, biochemical parameters probably correlated with the serotonergic system, in nine chronically suicidal patients. They were all female outpatients, mean age 31 4. 8 (SD) years, referred for a biweekly group training course aimed at modifying depressive and suicidal cognitions and behavior. The mean number of previous suicide attempts was 3.1 -41.6. Most attempts had been nonviolent and had consisted of ingestion of pills. One patient used 150 mg/day alnitriptyline at the start of the study and 250 mg/day thereafter. All other patients were free of antidepressant medication or other drugs known to influence 5-HT concentration or MAd activity. Platelet MAd activity is positively correlated with the concentration of the main metabolite of 5-HT, 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid, in cerebrospinal fluid in healthy subjects (Oreland et al 1981). It is considered to reflect aspects of nom'lal central serotonergic capacity and is probably not influenced by certain disease states. Platelet 5-HT has been suggested as a possible model for the central serotonergic neuron be-
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