Suicidal behavior in depressive disorder: an event-related potential study.

in Biological Psychiatry (1996), 40(2), 116-22

P300 and contingent negative variation (CNV) were recorded in depressive inpatients with and without history of suicide attempt. The results showed a significant reduction of P200, P300, and CNV and a ... [more ▼]

P300 and contingent negative variation (CNV) were recorded in depressive inpatients with and without history of suicide attempt. The results showed a significant reduction of P200, P300, and CNV and a significant increase of postimperative negative variation (PINV) in patients who had attempted suicide compared to patients with a negative history. Moreover, P300 amplitude was negatively related with the Suicidal Risk and the Hopelessness but not with the Hamilton scales. These results stress the need to differentiate clinical subgroups of patients to assess the psychophysiology of depression, and indicate that patients who attempted suicide exhibit lower cortical resources and poorer cortical performance than patients without history of suicide attempt. [less ▲]

The flesinoxan 5-HT1A receptor challenge in major depression and suicidal behavior.

in Pharmacopsychiatry (1995), 28 Suppl 2

The prevailing neurochemical theory about biological correlates of suicidal behavior focuses on the serotonergic system. In this study, we assessed the cortisol, ACTH, GH, prolactin and temperature ... [more ▼]

The prevailing neurochemical theory about biological correlates of suicidal behavior focuses on the serotonergic system. In this study, we assessed the cortisol, ACTH, GH, prolactin and temperature responses to flesinoxan, a5-HT1A agonist, in 30 DSM-III-R major depressed inpatients subgrouped into suicide attempters (n = 15) and nonattempters (n = 15). The patients were assessed after a drug-free period of at least 3 weeks. A subsample of 16 patients completed the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory as a measure of impulsive aggressive behavior. Mean delta cortisol responses to flesinoxan were significantly lower in the group of depressed patients with a history of suicide attempts than in the group without history of suicidal behavior: for the delta cortisol values 14.5 +/- 16.3 micrograms/l vs 101 +/- 94 micrograms/l (F = 8.9, df = 5.25, p = 0.006). There was also a very significant difference between suicide attempters and nonattempters for the temperature (delta T degrees) responses to flesinoxan: 0.20 +/- 0.24 degrees C vs. 0.60 +/- 0.24 degrees C (F = 18.1, df = 5.25, p = 0.0003). Hormonal and temperature responses to flesinoxan were not correlated with BDHI irritability or assault subscale scores. The results of the present study support the implication of the serotonergic system, particularly 5-HT1A receptors, in the control of self-directed aggressive behavior. Moreover, in depressed patients, serotonergic abnormalities do not appear to be related to aggressive behavior. [less ▲]

Bases biologiques du comportement suicidaire: approche neuroendocrinienne et psychophysiologique du role des catecholamines.

in Acta Psychiatrica Belgica (1995), 95(4-5), 210-33

The current main neurochemical theories of the biological correlates of suicidal behavior principally involve the serotonergic system. Few data are available about the possible role of the ... [more ▼]

The current main neurochemical theories of the biological correlates of suicidal behavior principally involve the serotonergic system. Few data are available about the possible role of the catecholaminergic (noradrenergic and dopaminergic) function. In the present study, in a first part, we assessed the growth hormone (GH) response to clonidine, a selective alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, and to apomorphine, a dopaminergic agonist, in 22 DSM-III-R major depressive male inpatients with a history of suicide attempts compared to 22 age-matched major depressive inpatients without history of suicidal behavior. Hormonal responses to clonidine and apomorphine were also compared with 4.00 PM postdexamethasone cortisol levels. The two groups differed significantly in the GH peak response after apomorphine: 6.27 +/- 3.18 ng/ml in suicide attempters vs 17.40 +/- 14.87 ng/ml in nonattempters (F = 11.78, p = 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups for GH peak responses after clonidine. Moreover, mean postdexamethasone cortisol levels did not exhibit any significant difference between suicide attempters and nonattempters. Violent and nonviolent attempters did not differ on any of the biological measures. In a second part, P300 and contingent negative variation (CNV) were recorded in 20 depressive inpatients subgrouped into suicide attempters (n = 10) and nonattempters (n = 10). The results showed a significant reduction of both P300 and CNV amplitudes in patients who attempted suicide compared to patients without history of suicide attempts. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between the Suicidal Risk scale and CNV amplitude. In conclusion, these results suggest that a dopaminergic hypoactivity as assessed by a blunted GH response to apomorphine and by a reduction of both P300 and CNV amplitudes, could be considered as a biological correlate of suicidal behavior. In contrast, noradrenergic disturbances, particularly at the level of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors, seem to play a more minor role. Moreover, DST nonsuppression cannot be considered as a biological marker of suicidal behavior. [less ▲]

Effect of previous antidepressant therapy on the growth hormone response to apomorphine.

in Neuropsychobiology (1995), 32(1), 19-22

Several lines of evidence suggest a role for dopamine in the pathophysiology of depression. In 1988, we reported a blunted response of growth hormone (GH) to apomorphine, a dopaminergic agonist, in ... [more ▼]

Several lines of evidence suggest a role for dopamine in the pathophysiology of depression. In 1988, we reported a blunted response of growth hormone (GH) to apomorphine, a dopaminergic agonist, in endogenous depression. However, an antidepressant washout period is a major confounding factor in studies assessing the GH response to apomorphine. Indeed, whereas the influence of tricyclic antidepressants on the GH response to apomorphine is presently unknown, several reports have suggested that tricyclics may impair the GH response to clonidine for periods longer than 3 weeks following their discontinuation. In the present study, we hypothesized that a blunted GH response to apomorphine in depressed patients could be related to the recent administration of antidepressants. Therefore, the GH response to apomorphine (0.5 mg) was studied in 11 male DSM-III-R major depressive inpatients who had never received antidepressant therapy (group 1) compared to 11 normal controls and 11 major depressive inpatients drug free for at least 2 weeks (group 2). The three groups differed significantly in the GH peak response to apomorphine: mean (SD) 5.4 (4.0) ng/ml in group 1, 25.5 (10.7) in normal controls, and 5.5 (5.1) in group 2 (F = 15.5, df = 3, 30, p = 0.00001). While group 1 and normal controls (F = 21.8, p = 0.0002) as well as group 2 and controls (F = 5.6, p = 0.03) differed significantly, group 1 and group 2 did not (F = 0.18, p = 0.68). These results suggest that a washout period of 2 weeks could be sufficient in studies assessing the GH response to apomorphine. [less ▲]

Psychophysiological correlates of suicidal behavior in depression. A preliminary study.

in Neuropsychobiology (1994), 30(1), 1-3

P300 and contingent negative variation (CNV) were recorded in depressive inpatients with and without history of suicide attempt. The results show a significant reduction of both P300 and CNV in patients ... [more ▼]

P300 and contingent negative variation (CNV) were recorded in depressive inpatients with and without history of suicide attempt. The results show a significant reduction of both P300 and CNV in patients who had attempted suicide as compared with patients who had not. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between the suicidal risk scale and CNV amplitude. Psychophysiological and biochemical implications are discussed. [less ▲]

L'etat de stress post-traumatique chez les brules: une revue.

in Acta Psychiatrica Belgica (1993), 93 Spec No

While post-traumatic stress disorder has drawn increasing interest over the last years, very few studies have been focused to burned patients. In its first part, this article provides a brief reminder of ... [more ▼]

While post-traumatic stress disorder has drawn increasing interest over the last years, very few studies have been focused to burned patients. In its first part, this article provides a brief reminder of the symptomatology of post-traumatic stress disorder, of its various pathogenic theories as well as its various treatment approaches. The second part of the article reviews more specifically the literature about post-traumatic stress disorder in burned patients, emphasizing the need of a rapid and effective psychological therapy. [less ▲]

Dopaminergic function in panic disorder: comparison with major and minor depression.

in Biological Psychiatry (1992), 32(11), 1004-11

Several lines of evidence suggest that dopamine might be involved in anxiety states. In this study, we assessed the growth hormone (GH) response to apomorphine (a dopaminergic agonist) 0.5 mg SC in nine ... [more ▼]

Several lines of evidence suggest that dopamine might be involved in anxiety states. In this study, we assessed the growth hormone (GH) response to apomorphine (a dopaminergic agonist) 0.5 mg SC in nine drug-free inpatients meeting Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) for panic disorder who were age-matched and gender-matched with nine major depressive, and nine minor depressive inpatients. The three groups differed significantly in their mean GH peak response: 5.29 +/- 2.75 ng/ml in major depressives, 26.27 +/- 12.71 ng/ml in minor depressives, and 37.28 +/- 10.58 ng/ml in panics, with a significantly higher response in panic than in either minor or major depressive patients. These results support dopaminergic overactivity in panic disorder as compared with major and minor depression. [less ▲]