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Striatal dopamine receptor binding in epileptic psychoses
H A Ring1, M R Trimble, D C Costa
1Raymond Way Neuropsychiatry Research Group, Institute of Neurology, London, England.
Biological Psychiatry
|March 15, 1994
Summary
Patients with epilepsy and psychosis show reduced dopamine D2 receptor binding in the striatum. This finding in epileptic psychoses suggests altered dopaminergic activity may underlie psychotic symptoms in epilepsy.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Radiology
Background:
- Epileptic psychoses are a complex comorbidity of epilepsy.
- Dopaminergic system alterations are implicated in various psychotic disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate striatal dopamine D2 receptor binding in patients with epilepsy, specifically comparing those with and without psychosis.
Main Methods:
- 14 patients with epilepsy were studied using single photon emission tomography (SPET).
- 123I-IBZM, a dopamine D2 receptor ligand, was used for imaging.
- Region of interest analysis compared basal ganglia to occipital cortex activity ratios.
Main Results:
- Significantly reduced specific binding of 123I-IBZM to striatal D2 receptors was observed in psychotic patients compared to non-psychotic patients.
- This reduction was evident in the basal ganglia to occipital cortex activity ratios.
Conclusions:
- Epileptic psychoses are associated with reduced striatal dopamine D2 receptor availability.
- These findings suggest a potential neurobiological link between dopaminergic dysregulation and psychosis in epilepsy.