Reduced brain function in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of some depressed patients may make them more likely to make a fatal suicide attempt, researchers report in the Archives of General Psychiatry.
Decreased serotonergic function, as measured by a more blunted prolactin response to fenfluramine hydrochloride, has previously been demonstrated in psychiatric patients who attempt suicide, particularly among those whose attempts tend to be lethal, note Maria Oquendo (Columbia University, New York, USA) and colleagues.
To ascertain whether this serotonin hypofunction is related to certain areas of the brain, the researchers compared changes in regional cerebral uptake of fludeoxyglucose (rCMRglu) in 16 depressed patients with a history of potentially lethal suicide attempts and in 9 patients whose attempts were less severe.
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