Decreased ribosomal DNA transcription in dorsal raphe nucleus neurons is specific for suicide regardless of psychiatric diagnosis.

The dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) is the main source of serotonergic innervation of forebrain limbic structures disturbed in suicidal behaviour. We have evaluated the transcriptional activity of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) in DRN neurons by AgNOR silver staining method. The cohort (containing 24 suicidal and 20 non-suicidal patients, and 28 controls) was previously analysed regarding diagnosis-related differences between schizophrenia and affective disorders. Significant decreases in both AgNOR and nuclear areas suggestive of attenuated rDNA activity were currently found in suicidal versus non-suicidal patients. This effect, which was more accentuated in affective disorders patients, was not explained by antidepressant and antipsychotic medication.