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Published on: March 2, 2015
Platelet serotonin reuptake inhibition and response to SSRIs in depressed adolescents
David A Axelson1, James M Perel, Boris Birmaher
1Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, 3811 O'Hara St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Objective:
The authors examined platelet serotonin reuptake inhibition and response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment in depressed adolescents.
Method:
Twenty-three depressed adolescents participating in pharmacokinetic studies of SSRIs had platelet serotonin reuptake measured before and after 14-28 days of treatment. The Clinical Global Impression (CGI) improvement rating was determined on the basis of all clinical information and was performed blind to the platelet data.
Results:
Improvement in depressive symptoms as rated with the CGI improvement subscale was significantly associated with the percentage change in platelet serotonin reuptake inhibition from pre- to posttreatment. Improvement in depression was also associated with absolute decrease in platelet serotonin reuptake when adjusted for the magnitude of baseline reuptake.
Conclusions:
Platelet serotonin reuptake inhibition may be an appropriate surrogate biological marker for the pharmacodynamic activity of SSRIs in depressed adolescents.
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