Mück-Seler D, Jakovljević M, Pivac N
Laboratory for Molecular Neuropharmacology, Ruder Bosković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia.
J Affect Disord. 1996 Jun 20;39(1):73-80. doi: 10.1016/0165-0327(96)00024-9.
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, depressed patients, non-psychotic patients and non-suicidal depressed patients. A negative relationship was shown between platelet 5-HT concentrations and suicidal behaviour. The lowest platelet 5-HT concentrations were associated with the most pronounced suicidal behaviour (with suicidal attempts and with the acts of suicide). The results suggest that the differences in platelet 5-HT concentrations found in depressed patients might be used as a biological marker for suicidal behaviour.
