Serotonin dysfunction and suicide attempts in major depressives: an auditory event-related potential study

Neuropsychobiology. 2005;52(1):28-36. doi: 10.1159/000086175. Epub 2005 Jun 3.

Abstract

Background: Serotonergic dysfunction is believed to be involved in suicide attempts. The loudness-dependent auditory evoked potential (LDAEP) is one of the validated indicators of the activity of the central serotonin system in humans.

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate possible differences in the LDAEP and P300 between those depressed patients who attempted suicide and those who did not.

Methods: The LDAEP and P300 levels were recorded for 66 depressive patients (among which 16 had attempted suicide).

Results: Those who had attempted suicide showed a sharper slope of the LDAEP and increased frontal P300 amplitude. A high correlation between the LDAEP and P300, and a gender difference were also noted.

Conclusions: Our results are concordant with previous assumptions about serotonin dysfunction in depressives who attempt suicide.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / physiopathology*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / psychology*
  • Electroencephalography
  • Event-Related Potentials, P300 / physiology
  • Evoked Potentials, Auditory / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Serotonin / physiology*
  • Suicide, Attempted / psychology*

Substances

  • Serotonin