5-HT_1D and 5-HT_1E/1F binding sites in depressed suicides: increased 5-HT_1D binding in globus pallidus but not cortex

Abstract

5-HT_1D and 5-HT_1E/1F receptor binding sites were measured in brain samples obtained at post-mortem from suicide victims with a firm retrospective diagnosis of depression, and matched controls. In antidepressant-free suicides a significantly higher number of 5-HT_1D receptors was found in globus pallidus. This was largely restricted to those suicides who died by violent means. This effect was not observed in antidepressant-treated suicides. No differences or trends in 5-HT_1D binding were found in putamen, parietal or frontal cortex, in antidepressant-free or antidepressant-treated suicides. There were no differences in the number of 5-HT_1E/1F receptors in any of the regions studied.