Symptom patterns in unipolar and bipolar depression correlating with monoamine metabolites in the cerebrospinal fluid: II. Suicide

Abstract

Suicidality scores from the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia on 21 unipolar and 12 bipolar depressives were correlated with monoamine metabolites in the cerebrospinal fluid using multiple regression analyses. The single item of Suicidal Tendencies Worst Week correlated highly significantly and negatively with 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) and only to a very slight degree with 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA). Seriousness of Intent of Worst Suicide Attempt earlier in life correlated significantly and negatively with both MHPG and 5HIAA. Subjective Anger was positively and Overt Anger negatively associated with thoughts of suicide. The results support earlier reports that depressives with low 5HIAA are prone to violent suicides, but also point to the equal, if not even greater involvement of MHPG and noradrenergic neuronal systems in carrying out a wish for death.