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Mood stabilizer treatment increases serotonin type 1A receptor binding in bipolar depression
Allison C Nugent1, Paul J Carlson, Earle E Bain
11Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, USA.
Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
|August 9, 2013
Summary
Mood stabilizers like lithium and divalproex increased serotonin 5-HT1A receptor binding in bipolar disorder (BD) patients. This suggests mood stabilizers may enhance 5-HT1A receptor expression, potentially explaining their therapeutic effects in BD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Abnormal serotonin type 1A (5-HT1A) receptor function is linked to mood disorders.
- Stress decreases 5-HT1A receptor gene expression, impacting hormone secretion.
- Mood stabilizers lithium and divalproex affect glucocorticoid signaling and 5-HT1A receptor function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if mood stabilizers enhance 5-HT1A receptor binding in human subjects with bipolar disorder (BD).
- To assess the impact of lithium and divalproex on 5-HT1A receptor expression in BD patients.
Main Methods:
- Utilized positron emission tomography (PET) with the radiotracer [18F]FCWAY.
- Acquired PET images of 5-HT1A receptor binding in 10 BD subjects before and after treatment.
- Measured mean 5-HT1A binding potential (BPP) and analyzed changes across brain regions.
Main Results:
- Mood stabilizer treatment significantly increased mean 5-HT1A BPP in BD patients.
- The most prominent increase was observed in the mesiotemporal cortex (hippocampus and amygdala).
- Treatment led to widespread cortical increases in BPP when mood state was controlled.
Conclusions:
- Preliminary findings support the hypothesis that mood stabilizers enhance 5-HT1A receptor expression in bipolar disorder.
- This enhancement may represent a key mechanism of action for these mood-stabilizing agents.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these effects and their clinical implications.
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