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Hippocampal 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors: abnormalities in postmortem brain from schizophrenic subjects
Elizabeth Scarr1, Geoffrey Pavey, David Copolov
1The Rebecca L. Cooper Research Laboratories, The Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Australia.
Schizophrenia Research
|October 12, 2004
Summary
Schizophrenia impacts hippocampal serotonin (5-HT) systems. This study found reduced 5-HT(2A) and 5-HT(1F) receptor densities in the hippocampus of schizophrenia patients, suggesting a role in the disease pathology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Hippocampal 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) systems are implicated in schizophrenia.
- Previous research suggests alterations in 5-HT pathways in schizophrenia patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate specific markers of the 5-HT system in the hippocampus of individuals with schizophrenia.
- To quantify the density of various 5-HT receptors in the hippocampi of schizophrenia patients and controls.
Main Methods:
- Utilized in situ radioligand binding with autoradiography.
- Measured binding of specific radioligands for 5-HT(1A)R, 5-HT(1D)R, 5-HT(2A)R, 5-HT(1F)R, and 5-HT(4)R.
- Analyzed hippocampal tissue from 20 schizophrenia patients and 20 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Significantly decreased [(3)H]ketanserin binding to 5-HT(2A) receptors was observed in CA3, CA1, and subiculum regions.
- Methiothepin-insensitive [(3)H]sumatriptan binding to 5-HT(1F) receptors was reduced in CA1, stratum radiatum/lacunosum moleculare, and subiculum.
- No significant differences in 5-HT(1A)R, 5-HT(1D)R, or 5-HT(4)R densities were found.
Conclusions:
- Regionally specific reductions in 5-HT(2A)R and 5-HT(1F)R densities in the hippocampus are associated with schizophrenia.
- These findings support the hypothesis that alterations in these specific serotonin receptors contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.