beta-adrenoceptors in brain and pineal from depressed suicide victims.

beta-Adrenoceptors were measured by saturation binding of [3H]CGP 12177 in nine brain regions and pineal from suicides, with a firm retrospective diagnosis of depression, and age and sex matched controls. Twenty one suicides had not recently received antidepressant drugs, 17 had been receiving drugs prior to death. In antidepressant drug-free suicides, the number of total beta-adrenoceptors was significant lower in temporal cortex (Brodmann area 38) and beta 1-adrenoceptors (Brodmann areas 21/22) was significant lower than matched controls. Suicides who died by violent means had significantly lower numbers of total beta- and beta 1-adrenoceptors in the frontal cortex and lower numbers of beta 1-adrenoceptors in temporal cortex (Brodmann areas 21/22) than matched controls. Suicides who died by non-violent means had lower numbers of total beta-adrenoceptors in occipital cortex controls and lower numbers of total beta- and beta 1-adrenoceptors in temporal cortex (Brodmann area 38) than matched controls. In antidepressant drug-treated suicides, significantly lower number of beta-adrenoceptor binding sites were found in temporal cortex (Brodmann area 38) and thalamus compared to matched controls. The lower number of beta-adrenoceptors binding sites in the thalamus appeared to be related to drug treatment. There were no differences in beta-adrenoceptor binding in the pineal gland between antidepressant-free and antidepressant-treated suicides and controls, although there were apparent differences between suicides and controls related to the time of death and season of death.