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Platelet 3H-imipramine binding: a state-dependent marker in depression.
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry
|January 1, 1984
Summary
Reduced platelet imipramine binding sites (Bmax) in depression may indicate illness state, not drug effect. Bmax normalizes after clinical remission, suggesting it reflects recovery rather than treatment response.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Reduced platelet 3H-imipramine binding sites (Bmax) observed in depressed patients.
- Platelet Bmax may serve as an indicator of the depressed state.
Purpose of the Study:
- Assess the utility of decreased platelet 3H-imipramine binding as a depression indicator.
- Investigate long-term imipramine treatment effects on platelet 3H-imipramine binding.
Main Methods:
- Compared platelet 3H-imipramine binding (Bmax and Kd) in 10 drug-free depressed patients and 8 controls.
- Conducted a longitudinal study of 10 depressed patients during and after imipramine treatment.
Main Results:
- Depressed patients showed significantly lower Bmax than controls; Kd was similar.
- Low Bmax persisted during imipramine treatment despite clinical improvement.
- Bmax significantly increased post-remission and remained elevated after drug discontinuation.
Conclusions:
- Decreased platelet 3H-imipramine binding is unlikely a direct drug effect.
- Platelet Bmax normalization may correlate with clinical remission in depression.