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Prefrontal cortex 5-HT2 receptors in depression: an [18F]setoperone PET imaging study
1Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Ont., Canada. jmeyer@clarke-inst.on.ca
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|July 13, 1999
Summary
This study found no increase in serotonin 5-HT2 receptors in depressed individuals without recent suicide attempts. These findings suggest serotonin 5-HT2 receptor levels may not be elevated in all forms of depression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Serotonin (5-HT) system disturbances are linked to depression.
- Increased 5-HT2 receptor binding is a replicated finding in postmortem studies of depressed suicide victims.
- It remains unclear if this finding extends to depressed individuals without recent suicide attempts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate 5-HT2 receptor binding potential in medication-free depressed patients without recent suicide attempts.
- To compare 5-HT2 receptor levels between depressed and healthy individuals.
Main Methods:
- Positron emission tomography (PET) with [18F]setoperone was used to assess 5-HT2 receptor binding potential.
- 14 medication-free depressed subjects and 19 healthy controls were studied.
- Exclusion criteria ensured a focus on non-suicidal, unmedicated depressed patients.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in 5-HT2 binding potential was observed between depressed and healthy subjects.
- Age significantly affected 5-HT2 binding potential, but depression did not.
- The interaction between age and depression on 5-HT2 binding was not significant.
Conclusions:
- 5-HT2 receptor binding potential is not elevated in untreated depressed individuals who have not made recent suicide attempts.
- This study does not exclude a role for 5-HT2 receptors in depression treatment or in highly suicidal states.
- Further research is needed to clarify the role of 5-HT2 receptors in the pathophysiology and treatment of depression.