Citation

Sarchiapone M, Camardese G, Roy A, Della Casa S, Satta MA, Gonzalez B, Berman J, De Risio S. J. Affect. Disord. 2001; 62(3): 217-219.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/s0165-0327(99)00200-1

PMID

11223109

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Prolactin and cortisol responses to d-fenfluramine challenge of central serotonin are reduced in depressed and suicidal patients. Low serum cholesterol levels are also reported in suicidal behavior. Thus, we examined for a relationship between serum cholesterol and fenfluramine challenge responses in patients with depression and/or attempted suicide.
METHODS: We studied 12 patients and six controls. Blood was drawn for baseline serum cholesterol and the d-fenfluramine challenge test performed.
RESULTS: Serum cholesterol levels were significantly lower in suicidal patients than in either non-suicidal patients or controls. However, neither the prolactin nor cortisol responses to d-fenfluramine correlated significantly with serum cholesterol levels.
CONCLUSION: No relationship was found between serum cholesterol and these peripheral indices of serotonergic function.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Analysis of Variance; Bipolar Disorder; Case-Control Studies; Cholesterol; Depressive Disorder; Female; Fenfluramine; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Male; Middle Aged; Prolactin; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; Serotonin; Suicide, Attempted