Serum β-endorphin levels are associated with addiction to suicidal behavior: A pilot study.
The literature provides partial support for the hypothesis that some suicide attempters develop a behavioral addiction to suicidal behavior (SB). We hypothesized that major suicide repeaters (MR) (≥5 lifetime suicide attempts) are addicted to suicide attempts as measured by modified DSM-IV criteria for substance dependence. In this cross-sectional study with 13 psychiatric controls (PC), 55 non-major suicide attempters (NMR), and 9 MR we found that MR are characterized by emotional abuse and neglect, as well as higher scores on the Personality and Life Event scale (short version). The levels of 8 AM serum ACTH, cortisol and β-endorphin were elevated in all three groups. Serum β-endorphin (pg/mL) was particularly high in PC diagnosed with schizophrenia 220.34 (±56.30). The level of 8 AM serum β-endorphin rose with increased numbers of criteria met for addiction to SB from 130.31 (±88.16) (≥ 3 criteria met for addiction to SB) to 174.84 (±114.93) (≥ 6 criteria met for addiction to SB) whereas serum ACTH and cortisol did not change. SB addicts (≥ 6 criteria) displayed higher serum β-endorphin concentrations than non-addicts (174.84 ± 114.93 vs. 116.93 ± 61.70, FET p = 0.09). The present study brings some support to the addictive hypothesis of SB. Our results delineate β-endorphin as a promising biomarker of SB addiction, and offer a good basis for future studies that test whether buprenorphine can be used to prevent repetitive suicide attempts, non-suicidal-self-injury (NSSI), and the development of an addiction to SB.
['Blasco-Fontecilla|Hilario|H|', 'Herranz-Herrer|Javier|J|', 'Ponte-Lopez|Teresa|T|', 'Gil-Benito|Elena|E|', 'Donoso-Navarro|Encarnación|E|', 'Hernandez-Alvarez|Elena|E|', 'Gil-Ligero|Maria|M|', 'Horrillo|Igor|I|', 'Meana|J Javier|JJ|', 'Royuela|Ana|A|', 'Rosado-Garcia|Silvia|S|', 'Sánchez-López|Antonio J|AJ|']
D000328:Adult D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse D016739:Behavior, Addictive D015415:Biomarkers D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D010865:Pilot Projects D059020:Suicidal Ideation D013406:Suicide, Attempted D055815:Young Adult D001615:beta-Endorphin
Addiction Suicidal behavior ACTH Cortisol Beta-endorphin