Am J Psychiatry 1995; 152:923-925
Copyright © 1995 by American Psychiatric Association
Seasonal rhythm of platelet [3H]imipramine binding in adolescents who attempted suicide
DS Pine, PD Trautman, D Shaffer, L Cohen, M Davies, M Stanley and B Parsons
Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine the seasonality of
serotonin functions among adolescents who attempt suicide. METHOD: Platelet
[3H]imipramine binding was assessed over a period of 18 months in 98
adolescents who attempted suicide and a comparison group of 23
never-suicidal youths with conduct disorder. RESULTS: [3H]Imipramine (Bmax)
was uncorrelated with age, but showed considerable seasonal variability
over time in those who had attempted suicide. CONCLUSIONS: [3H]Imipramine
binding density in adolescents who attempted suicide exhibited significant
seasonality, reaching a nadir in late winter/early spring.
