Citation

Guillem E, Bouchez-Arbabzadeh S, Lépine JP. Ann. Med. Psychol. (Paris) 2005; 163(7): 577-582.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Societe Medico-Psychologique, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.amp.2005.07.012

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Several population-based and epidemiological studies showed an association between low levels of serum cholesterol and suicide. Controlled clinical studies have shown a statistically significant relation between low levels of serum cholesterol and risk of suicide. Major depression appears to be significantly associated with low serum cholesterol levels. In addition, personality traits such as impulsive behaviour characterized by hetero-aggressive acts and physical violence which are involved in suicide have been shown to be associated with low serum cholesterol. Major findings in the neurobiology of suicide, and more specifically in studies of violent suicide, have also implicated low levels of serotonin. However, the biological studies in humans concerning serum cholesterol levels, suicidal behaviour and peripherical indices of serotoninergic function have been inconclusive for the moment. Investigations of the role of several intermediate clinical (depression, personality disorders, impulsivity) and biological (polyunsaturated fatty acids, serotonin) variables constitute current areas of active research.

Language: fr

Keywords

Epidemiology; violence; suicide; Suicide; aggression; major depression; risk factor; serotonin; Serotonin; article; personality disorder; cholesterol blood level; impulsiveness; Cholesterol; statistical significance; cholesterol; neurobiology; correlation analysis; polyunsaturated fatty acid; Polyunsaturated fatty acids