Decreased prefrontal 5-HT2A receptor binding in subjects at enhanced risk for schizophrenia.

Abstract

The brain serotonin-2A receptor (5-HT(2A)R) has been implicated in both the pathology of schizophrenia and the therapeutic action of atypical antipsychotics. However, little is known about the 5-HT(2A)R status before the onset of schizophrenia and before the exposure to antipsychotics. We used [18F] altanserin and positron emission tomography (PET) in a pilot study of 6 individuals suspected to be at elevated risk for schizophrenia and seven age-matched controls to test the hypothesis that regional 5-HT(2A)R binding is altered in the prodromal stages of schizophrenia. Distribution volume ratios (DVRs) as a proxy for 5-HT(2A)R availability were significantly reduced in prefrontal cortex regions of at-risk subjects, implicating early abnormalities of serotonergic neurotransmission that antecede the onset of schizophrenia.

• Authors: René Hurlemann, Christian Boy, Philipp T Meyer, Harald Scherk, Michael Wagner, Hans Herzog, Heinz H Coenen, Kai Vogeley, Peter Falkai, Karl Zilles, Wolfgang Maier, Andreas Bauer
• Journal: Anatomy and embryology (Anat Embryol (Berl)) Vol. 210 Issue 5-6 Pg. 519-23 (Dec 2005) ISSN: 0340-2061 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 16187138 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Fluorine Radioisotopes
• Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A
• altanserin
• Ketanserin

Topics

• Adult
• Brain Mapping
• Case-Control Studies
• Female
• Fluorine Radioisotopes
• Humans
• Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
• Ketanserin (analogs & derivatives)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Pilot Projects
• Positron-Emission Tomography
• Prefrontal Cortex (chemistry, diagnostic imaging, metabolism, pathology)
• Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A (analysis, metabolism)
• Risk Factors
• Schizophrenia (diagnosis, metabolism, pathology)