[en] Several lines of evidence tend to suggest a role for noradrenaline, and more specifically alpha-2-adrenoreceptors, in the biology of suicidal behavior. The purpose of this study was to assess the growth hormone (GH) response to clonidine, an alpha-2-adrenergic agonist, in majorly depressed inpatients with a history of highly lethal suicide attempt compared to depressed patients with a history of low lethal suicide attempt and nonattempters. Our sample included 20 male depressed inpatients with a history of suicide attempt compared to 20 male depressed nonattempters. We did not observe any significant difference between suicide attempters and nonattempters for GH peak values (2.4 +/- 2.9 vs. 4.1 +/- 3.7 ng/ml; F = 2.52, d.f. = 1, 38, p = 0.12). Moreover, GH peak responses to clonidine were not related to the degree of lethality of the attempt. The results of the present study do not support a major role for noradrenaline in the biology of suicidal behavior.
Disciplines :
Psychiatry
Author, co-author :
Pitchot, William ; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège - CHU > Psychiatrie et psychologie médicale
Hansenne, Michel ; Université de Liège > Département de Psychologie > Psycho. de la personnalité et des différences individuelles
Pinto, Emmanuel ; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège - CHU > Psychiatrie et psychologie médicale
Reggers, Jean ; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège - CHU > HOSPITALISATION - PSYCHO & PSYCHIATRIE T3 -3E
Fuchs, S.
Ansseau, Marc ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences cliniques > Psychiatrie et psychologie médicale
Language :
English
Title :
Alpha-2-adrenoreceptors in depressed suicide attempters : relationship with medical lethality of the attempt
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