GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID-B (GABA-B) BINDING-SITES IN POSTMORTEM SUICIDE BRAINS

Gamma-aminobutyric acid-B (GABA(B)) binding sites labelled with [H-3]GABA were determined in postmortem frontal cortex samples of 20 control subjects and 16 suicides. The suicide group was further subdivided according to the method of suicide and the existence of depressive symptoms prior to death. No significant differences in GABA(B) binding were found either between overall suicide and control groups or between the control group and the other subgroups (violent suicide, nonviolent suicide, nondepressed and depressed suicide victims). A significant increase in GABA(B) binding was observed in those individuals dying from carbon monoxide poisoning. It is concluded that although GABA(B) binding sites are not altered in our suicide group, a presynaptic dysfunction might account for the increased GABA(B) binding found in the carbon monoxide sub roup.