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

Neuropsychobiology. 1985;14(2):67-74. doi: 10.1159/000118207.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 5-Hydroxytryptophan / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Aggression / physiology*
  • Bipolar Disorder / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Bipolar Disorder / drug therapy
  • Bipolar Disorder / physiopathology
  • Carbidopa / therapeutic use
  • Depressive Disorder / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Depressive Disorder / drug therapy
  • Depressive Disorder / physiopathology
  • Dexamethasone
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Self Mutilation / physiopathology
  • Suicide, Attempted*

Substances

  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
  • Dexamethasone
  • 5-Hydroxytryptophan
  • Carbidopa
  • Hydrocortisone