BRAIN 5-HT1A, 5-HT1D, AND 5-HT2 RECEPTORS IN SUICIDE VICTIMS

We report on 5-HT1A, 5-HT1D, and 5-HT2 binding sites in 23 control sub jects and 18 suicide victims subdivided according to the method of dea th and the previous existence of depressive symptoms. No difference in maximum binding (B-max) or binding affinity (K-d) was found between t he control and overall suicide groups for the binding sites studied. T he drug overdose subgroup showed, however, a significant decrease in t he 5-HT1A binding affinity, probably explained by the higher sensitivi ty of this binding site to the acute administration of tricyclic antid epressants. A significant decrease in 5-HT1D binding affinity was also found in the depressed suicides, together with a significant decrease in the number of 5-HT1D binding sites in the nondepressed suicides. F urther studies should be carried out on the 5-HT1D binding site as it might represent a new tool in the understanding of the depressive illn ess.