Positron Emission Tomography of Regional Brain Metabolic Responses to a Serotonergic Challenge and Lethality of Suicide Attempts in Major Depression

Abstract

Prefrontal localized hypofunction and impaired serotonergic responsivity are proportional to the lethality of the suicide attempt and may mediate the effects of suicide intent and impulsivity on lethality. Positron emission tomographic neuroreceptor studies are needed to determine whether postmortem serotonin receptor findings are also present in vivo and contribute to the abnormal rCMRglu responses.