Citation

Kölch M, Plener P, Allroggen M, Fegert JM. Nervenheilkd. 2010; 29(7-8): 451-455.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Georg Thieme Verlag)

DOI

10.1055/s-0038-1628798

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Depressive symptomatology has been observed in some school shooters. Does the treatment with antidepressants, especially with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), lead to activation known from the pharmacological treatment of juvenile depression? Method: Systematic literature review with additional selective references regarding the neurobiology of the serotonergic system of suicidal patients.

RESULTS: To date no studies have been published about a link between antidepressant medication and school shootings. The phenomenon of behavioural toxicity in children and adolescents has been well described. Neurobiological findings show alterations in the serotonergic system of suicidal patients, depending on whether they are employing more or less aggressive/impulsive methods of suicide.

DISCUSSION: By virtue of a paucity of data (due to school shootings being rare events) there is hardly any evidence supporting a causal relationship between medication and school shootings. Clinically relevant points: Risk patients receiving antidepressant medication should be screened for aggressive phantasy. Based on the recent literature aggressive tendencies are no contraindication for antidepressant medication but they should lead to careful monitoring of these patients. © Schattauer 2010.

Language: de

Keywords

adolescent; human; violence; suicide; systematic review; child; depression; aggression; school; Antidepressants; article; serotonin uptake inhibitor; impulsiveness; serotoninergic system; neurobiology; SSRI; School shootings; Behavioural toxicity; school shooting