5‐hydroxytryptamine and depression: a model for the interaction of normal variance with pathology.

Abstract

1 Theories linking 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) with depression are briefly reviewed. The various experimental strategies adopted to investigate this relationship, examination of autopsy data, CSF metabolite data, 5‐HT re‐uptake patterns in human blood platelets and imipramine binding studies in human platelets, are discussed. 2 Recent studies of 5‐hydroxyindole acetic acid (5‐HIAA) levels in cerebrospinal fluid have revealed a linkage between low 5‐HIAA levels and suicide, aggression and impulsivity. Decreases in the number of imipramine binding sites have also been found in brains of suicide victims. 3 The available data lead to the conclusion that decreased 5‐ hydroxytryptaminergic function may be associated with an increased risk of depression, suicide, and some types of aggression. 1983 The British Pharmacological Society