Citation

Motto JA. Arch. Suicide Res. 1996; 2(1): 55-74.

Affiliation

University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

New information continues to emerge at a bewildering pace in biological science. This has resulted in a challenge to the clinician, both to remain abreast of the information and to determine its usefulness. This challenge is as true in suicide as in other aspects of modem psychiatry. This paper attempts to outline the information and to address the clinical applications of biological aspects of suicide. The most consistent candidate for potential clinical use as an indicator of suicide risk has been serotonin and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleactic acid. However, despite these developments it is concluded that the clinical application of these ideas would be premature.