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Serotonin 1B receptor imaging in alcohol dependence.
Jian Hu1, Shannan Henry, Jean-Dominique Gallezot
1Molecular Imaging Program, Clinical Neurosciences Division, VA National Center for PTSD, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA.
Biological Psychiatry
|February 23, 2010
Summary
Alcohol dependence (AD) in humans is linked to higher levels of serotonin 1B receptors (5-HT(1B)R) in the ventral striatum. This finding in people mirrors results from animal models of alcohol dependence.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Radiology
Background:
- Animal models suggest alcohol dependence (AD) elevates serotonin 1B receptors (5-HT(1B)R).
- Previous human studies have not investigated 5-HT(1B)R levels in individuals with AD.
- Positron emission tomography (PET) with [(11)C]P943 enables in vivo assessment of central 5-HT(1B)R binding potential (BP(ND)).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate ventral striatal 5-HT(1B)R BP(ND) in humans with AD.
- To compare 5-HT(1B)R BP(ND) between individuals with AD and healthy controls (HC).
Main Methods:
- Twelve medication-free, recently abstinent patients with AD and 12 HC subjects underwent [(11)C]P943 PET scans.
- Individual MRI scans were used for anatomical reference and coregistration.
- Imaging data were analyzed using a multilinear reference tissue model.
Main Results:
- Ventral striatal 5-HT(1B)R BP(ND) was significantly increased by 29% in individuals with AD compared to HC subjects (p = .006).
- No demographic, clinical, or radiotracer dose influences were observed.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first human evidence linking AD to elevated ventral striatal 5-HT(1B)Rs.
- Findings align with previous observations in animal models of alcohol dependence.
