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Published on: March 8, 2018
5HT2A receptor binding is increased in borderline personality disorder.
Paul H Soloff1, Julie C Price, Carolyn C Meltzer
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. soloffph@upmc.edu
Biological Psychiatry
|April 24, 2007
Summary
Serotonin 5-HT(2A) receptor binding potential is increased in the hippocampus of individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). This finding is independent of mood, impulsivity, or suicidality, suggesting hippocampal serotonergic dysregulation in BPD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Postmortem studies show increased 5-HT(2A) receptors in suicide victims' frontal cortex.
- Impulsive borderline personality disorder (BPD) subjects exhibit diminished metabolic responses to serotonergic activation.
- BPD is associated with high risk for suicidal behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate 5-HT(2A) receptor binding potential (BP) in impulsive BPD subjects using positron emission tomography (PET) neuroimaging.
- To compare 5-HT(2A) receptor BP in BPD patients and healthy controls.
- To explore relationships between 5-HT(2A) BP and clinical variables in BPD.
Main Methods:
- PET neuroimaging with [(18)F] altanserin was used to assess 5-HT(2A) receptor BP.
- Fourteen female BPD subjects and 11 healthy female controls were studied.
- Data analysis involved Logan graphical analysis and a four-compartment (4C) model.
Main Results:
- Hippocampal 5-HT(2A) receptor BP was significantly increased in BPD subjects compared to controls.
- Hippocampal BP correlated with comorbid major depressive episodes.
- BP was not related to depressed mood, impulsivity, aggression, suicidality, or childhood abuse.
Conclusions:
- 5-HT(2A) receptor binding is elevated in the hippocampus of BPD subjects, irrespective of clinical symptoms or history.
- Hippocampal serotonergic system dysregulation may contribute to affective and behavioral issues in BPD.
- Further research into hippocampal serotonergic function is warranted for BPD treatment strategies.
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