Plasma serotonin levels and suicidal behavior in adolescents

Samuel Tyano, Gil Zalsman*, Hadas Ofek, Ilanan Blum, Alan Apter, Luisa Wolovik, Leo Sher, Eliane Sommerfeld, Daniella Harell, Abraham Weizman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

53 Scopus citations

Abstract

To evaluate the relationship between plasma serotonin (p5-HT) levels and psychometric measures in suicidal adolescents vs. controls, 211 adolescents from three sites in Israel were divided into four groups: suicidal psychiatric inpatients (n = 35); non-suicidal psychiatric inpatients (n = 30); adolescents referred to the emergency room (ER) due to a suicide attempt (n = 51); and a community-based control group from 4 high schools in the same catchment areas (n = 95). All were interviewed and assessed for violence, aggression, depression, impulsivity, anger, anxiety, and p5-HT. p5-HT levels were significantly lower in the control group compared to all other groups. A significant negative correlation was found between p5-HT level and suicidal behavior severity among the suicidal inpatients. p5-HT did not discriminate between the psychiatric diagnostic categories and was significantly lower in ER violent compared to non-violent subjects. Gender, depression, and anger were associated with suicidal behavior in all four groups. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores together with p5-HT levels discriminated between healthy controls and other groups. p5-HT level in combination with some of the psychometric scales may serve as a safe and inexpensive peripheral marker of psychopathology, and may help to differentiate between sub-populations of suicidal adolescents. The biological mechanism behind the serotonin dysregulation in suicidal adolescents requires further investigation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)49-57
Number of pages9
JournalEuropean Neuropsychopharmacology
Volume16
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2006

Funding

FundersFunder number
Charles E. Smith Family99/9b
Harisson Foundation
National Institute for Psychobiology in Israel
Sacta-Rashi Foundation
Ministeriet Sundhed Forebyggelse

    Keywords

    • Adolescent
    • Aggression
    • Depression
    • Plasma
    • Serotonin
    • Suicide

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