BIOLOGIC ALTERATIONS IN THE BRAIN-STEM OF SUICIDES

This article reviews the data supporting the notion that there are alt erations in serotonin and norepinephrine in the ventral prefrontal cor tex and brainstem of suicide victims. Normal amounts of serotonin are found in terminal fields such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, b ut serotonin responses are defective at least in the hypothalamus. Sui cide victims appear to have fewer noradrenergic LC neurons, containing more of the tyrosine hydroxylase enzyme needed for transmitter synthe sis. A failure of behavior restraint mechanisms involving the prefront al cortex as a consequence of alterations in brainstem monoaminergic n uclei may result in a predisposition to suicidal behavior.