Platelet serotonin and [3H]paroxetine binding correlate with recurrence of suicidal behavior

• Published in: Psychopharmacologia Vol. 132; no. 1; pp. 89 - 94
• Main Authors: VERKES, R. J, FEKKES, D, ZWINDERMAN, A. H, HENGEVELD, M. W, VAN DER MAST, R. C, TUYL, J. P, KERKHOF, A. J. F. M, VAN KEMPEN, G. M. J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01.07.1997; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Aged; Amine oxidase (flavin-containing); Antidepressants; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Platelets - metabolism; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Paroxetine; Paroxetine - metabolism; Platelets; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Recurrence; Serotonin; Serotonin - blood; Suicidal behavior; Suicidal ideation; Suicide; Suicide, Attempted; Suicides & suicide attempts; Tritium; Human; Biological fixation; Relapse; Platelet; Serotonin; Biological marker; Medical screening; Suicide ideation; Uptake; Suicide attempt
• ISSN: 0033-3158; 1432-2072
• DOI: 10.1007/s002130050324

To distinguish state- from trait-dependent associations between serotonergic function and suicidal behavior, platelet serotonergic measures were repeatedly measured, during a 1-year follow-up, in 106 patients who had recently attempted suicide for at least a second time. A major DSM-III-R axis I diagnosis or use of antidepressants were reasons for exclusion. A higher affinity constant (KD) of platelet [3H]paroxetine binding was related to a higher risk of short-term recurrence of a suicide attempt, suggesting a state relationship. Higher levels of platelet serotonin at baseline were a significant predictor of a recurrent suicide attempt within the year of follow-up, suggesting a trait relationship. These associations held equally within the subgroup of 73 patients with a borderline personality disorder. Neither the maximum number of binding sites (Bmax) of [3H]paroxetine nor platelet monoamine oxidase activity correlated with suicidality. The observed association between indicators of platelet serotonin uptake and suicidal behavior suggests a state- and trait-dependency between suicidality and central serotonergic dysfunction.