Citation

Gardner DL, Lucas PB, Cowdry RW. Biol. Psychiatry 1990; 28(3): 247-254.

Affiliation

Clinical and Research Services Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Washington, DC.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

1696137

Abstract

Cerebrospinal metabolites were measured in 17 patients with borderline personality disorder and 17 normal controls. There were no significant differences between the two groups in levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), homovanillic acid (HVA), or 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG). Within the borderline group, lower levels of CSF 5-HIAA were significantly associated with a history of genuine suicide attempts, but were not associated with violence, self-mutilation, or with the presence of major depression. Thus, CSF 5-HIAA levels are not distinctively low in a diagnostic group characterized by impulsivity and suicidal behavior, but within that group may be associated with genuine suicide attempts.

Language: en