Neurochemical variables in subjects with adjustment disorder after suicide attempts

Abstract

The investigation of biological correlates of suicidal behavior is important for identifying high-risk subjects. The objective of this study was to examine the neurochemical variables' platelet MAO activity and urinary MHPG, 5HIAA and HVA, the main metabolites of noradrenaline, serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters that are considered to be involved in the pathophysiology of suicidal behavior, as well as plasma cortisol, in a group of subjects with adjustment disorder after a suicide attempt. Fifty-three patients, 42 females and 11 males, were included in the study and were compared to a group of 50 healthy controls, 25 females and 25 males. Platelet MAO activity was found to be significantly lower in both male and female patients compared to controls of the same sex (P < 0. 001 for both comparisons). 5HIAA and HVA were not different between patients and controls, but MHPG was significantly higher in the patients group (P = 0.008). Moreover, plasma levels of cortisol were significantly higher in the patients compared to the controls (P < 0. 001). Our results confirm the hypothesis of low platelet MAO activity as a biological characteristic of patients who attempt suicide. They also point to a possible parallel activation of the noradrenergic system.

Risk factors for suicide in bipolar disorder: A systematic review

“…However, many studies of HPA axis function in bipolar disorder have not examined the potential effects of Suicidal Behavior (SB) (Cassidy et al, 1998;Cervantes et al, 2001;Cookson et al, 1985;Godwin, 1984;Linkowski et al, 1994;Rybakowski and Twardowska, 1999;Schmider et al, 1995) and studies of the association between HPA axis activity and suicidal behavior in varied diagnostic groups have had mixed results (Black et al, 2002;Coryell and Schlesser, 2001;Dahl et al, 1991;Duval et al, 2001;Jokinen and Nordström, 2008;Lindqvist et al, 2008;Pfennig et al, 2005;Pitchot et al, 2008;Tripodianakis et al, 2000;Yerevanian et al, 2004;Kamali et al, 2012).…”

Suicidal Intent and the HPA-Axis Characteristics of Suicide Attempters with Major Depressive Disorder and Adjustment Disorders

“…The suicidal process among patients in this diagnostic group is shorter and more rapidly evolving compared to patients with MDD (Polyakova, Knobler, Ambrumova et al, 1998), and there are often no indications of emotional or behavioral issues during early adolescence in suicide victims diagnosed with AD (Portzky, Audenaert, & van Heeringen, 2005). Tripodianakis, Markianos, Sarantidis et al (2000) investigated neurochemical characteristics in patients diagnosed with AD after a suicide attempt, and found higher concentrations of cortisol in plasma, compared with healthy controls. Our research group recently reported lower orexin levels in cerebrospinal fluid of suicide attempters with MDD compared to AD, suggesting a hypothalamic neurobiological distinction between the two diagnostic groups (Brundin, Björkqvist, Petersén et al, 2007).…”

Associations between suicide attempts and elevated bedtime salivary cortisol levels in bipolar disorder

“…Elevated cortisol levels are found in individuals with depression or adjustment disorder and a history of suicide attempts, compared to healthy controls (Dahl et al, 1991; Tripodianakis et al, 2000). Association between DST non-suppression and future suicide attempts and completions was reported in a meta-analysis of eleven studies (Lester, 1992) and also in several subsequent studies (Coryell and Schlesser, 2001; Jokinen and Nordström, 2008, 2009; Jokinen et al, 2009; Yerevanian et al, 2004).…”

“…However, many studies of HPA axis function in bipolar disorder have not examined the potential effects of suicidal behavior (Cassidy et al, 1998; Cervantes et al, 2001; Cookson et al, 1985; Godwin, 1984; Linkowski et al, 1994; Rybakowski and Twardowska, 1999; Schmider et al, 1995) and studies of the association between HPA axis activity and suicidal behavior in varied diagnostic groups have had mixed results (Black et al, 2002; Coryell and Schlesser, 2001; Dahl et al, 1991; Duval et al, 2001; Jokinen and Nordström, 2008, 2009; Lindqvist et al, 2008; Pfennig et al, 2005; Pitchot et al, 2008; Tripodianakis et al, 2000; Yerevanian et al, 2004). …”