D. Muckseler et al., PLATELET 5-HT CONCENTRATIONS AND SUICIDAL-BEHAVIOR IN RECURRENT MAJORDEPRESSION, Journal of affective disorders, 39(1), 1996, pp. 73-80
Platelet 5-HT concentrations were determined in 84 male and 82 female
psychotic and non-psychotic depressed inpatients with various degrees
of suicidal behaviour, and in 175 healthy controls. Psychotic patients
had higher platelet 5-HT concentrations than non-psychotic depressed
patients and healthy controls. A sex difference, i.e., lower platelet
5-HT concentrations in females was found in healthy controls, depresse
d patients, non-psychotic patients and non-suicidal depressed patients
. A negative relationship was shown between platelet 5-HT concentratio
ns and suicidal behaviour. The lowest platelet 5-HT concentrations wer
e associated with the most pronounced suicidal behaviour (with suicida
l attempts and with the acts of suicide). The results suggest that the
differences in platelet 5-HT concentrations found in depressed patien
ts might be used as a biological marker for suicidal behaviour.