Citation

Marazziti D, Conti L. Eur. Neuropsychopharmacol. 1991; 1(2): 169-172.

Affiliation

Psychiatric Clinic, University of Pisa, Italy.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1991, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

1821706

Abstract

The similarities between blood platelets and serotonin (5HT) neurons offer a reliable tool of exploring 5HT system. The aim of our study was to evaluate platelet 3H.imipramine binding in suicide attempters, as compared with depressed patients and healthy controls. In addition, we measured aggressive features in the 3 groups, by a standardized rating scale, the Inventory for assessing different kinds of ostility (QTA). The results showed a significant decrease in the maximum binding capacity (Bmax) of 3H-imipramine binding to platelet membranes in suicide attempters, who also exhibited higher total and single item scores at QTA than healthy controls or depressed patients. Both biological and psychological findings are suggestive of an aggression dysregulation in suicide attempters.

Language: en