Citation

Bourgeois M. Hum. Psychopharmacol. 1991; 6(1 S): S31-S36.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1991, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/hup.470060507

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper reviews the available data on the relationships between serotonin, impulsivity and suicide. It is concluded that low CSF‐5‐HIAA levels in psychiatric patients (depression, personality disorder, schizophrenia) and possibly also in supposedly healthy persons, increases the risk of suicide considerably. Other biological risk factors, e.g. activation of the hypothalamic--pituitary axis (positive dexamethasone‐suppression test) may also play a role. This trait marker is found in different kinds of impulsive behaviours: suicide, arson, murder, alcoholism, disinhibitory personality traits and others, indicating a marker of vulnerability, especially in crisis situations. Low output or low stability of the 5‐HT system in the CNS seems to increase impulsivity. Copyright © 1991 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Language: en

Keywords

human; suicide; depression; risk factor; serotonin; conference paper; fenfluramine; citalopram; fluvoxamine; impulsiveness; 5 hydroxyindoleacetic acid; flupentixol; serotonin brain level; serotoninergic system; maprotiline; vulnerability; CSF; cerebrospinal fluid level; zimeldine; provocation test; impulsivity; 5‐HIAA; fenfluramine challenge; Serotonin, suicide; trait marker