Serotonin 5-HT1A receptor binding in people with panic disorder: positron emission tomography study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The importance of the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) in the pathophysiology of anxiety is well known. A key role for postsynaptic 5-HT(1A) receptors has recently been suggested in studies of genetic knockout mice.

AIMS:

To measure 5-HT(1A) receptor binding in patients with panic disorder in the untreated state and after recovery on treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

METHOD:

Nine symptomatic untreated patients with panic disorder, seven patients recovered on SSRI medication and nineteen healthy volunteers underwent a single positron emission tomography (PET) scan using the 5-HT(1A) tracer [(11)C]WAY-100635.

RESULTS:

In comparison with controls, both presynaptic and postsynaptic 5-HT(1A) receptor binding was reduced in untreated patients, with the most significant reductions being in the raphe, orbitofrontal cortex, temporal cortex and amygdala. In recovered patients presynaptic binding was reduced, but there was no significant reduction in postsynaptic binding.

CONCLUSIONS:

Panic disorder is associated with reduced 5-HT(1A) receptor availability, which is also known to have a key role in depression.

• Authors: Jon R Nash, Peter A Sargent, Eugenii A Rabiner, Sean D Hood, Spilios V Argyropoulos, John P Potokar, Paul M Grasby, David J Nutt
• Journal: The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science (Br J Psychiatry) Vol. 193 Issue 3 Pg. 229-34 (Sep 2008) ISSN: 0007-1250 [Print] England
• PMID: 18757983 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
• Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A

Topics

• Adult
• Brain (diagnostic imaging, metabolism)
• Case-Control Studies
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Panic Disorder (diagnostic imaging, drug therapy, metabolism)
• Positron-Emission Tomography
• Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A (metabolism)
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome