Study Report
Reference
| Citation | Yatham, 1999 PubMed |
| Full Info | Yatham, L.N., Liddle, P.F., Dennie, J., Shiah, I.S., Adam, M.J., Lane, C.J., Lam, R.W. and Ruth, T.J. (1999) Decrease in brain serotonin 2 receptor binding in patients with major depression following desipramine treatment: a positron emission tomography study with fluorine-18-labeled setoperone. Arch Gen Psychiatry, 56, 705-711.
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Study
| Hypothesis or Background |
The neuroreceptor changes involved in therapeutic efficacy of various antidepressants remain unclear. Preclinical studies have shown that long-term administration of various antidepressants causes down-regulation of brain serotonin 2 (5-HT2) receptors in rodents, but it is unknown if similar changes occur following antidepressant treatment in depressed patients. Our purpose, therefore, was to assess the effects of treatment with desipramine hydrochloride on brain 5-HT2 receptors in depressed patients using positron emission tomography (PET) and fluorine-18 (18F)-labeled setoperone.
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| Sample Information | Eleven patients who met DSM-IV criteria for major depression as determined by a structured clinical interview for DSM-III-R diagnosis and suitable for treatment with desipramine were recruited. |
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| Method Detail | Ten patients underwent a PET scan before and another after 3 to 4 weeks of treatment with desipramine. |
| Method Keywords | positron emission tomography (PET) |
| Result | Eight of the 10 patients responded to desipramine treatment as indicated by more than 50% decrease in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores. Depressed patients showed a significant decrease in 5-HT2 receptor binding as measured by setoperone binding in frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital cortical regions following desipramine treatment. The decrease in 5-HT2 receptor binding was observed bilaterally and was particularly prominent in frontal cortex. |
| Conclusions | Depressed patients showed a significant reduction in available 5-HT2 receptors in the brain following desipramine treatment, but it is unknown if this change in 5-HT2 receptors is due to clinical improvement or an effect of desipramine that is unrelated to clinical status. |
Relationships reported by
Yatham, 1999
| Component A Approved Name (Name in Paper) |
Component A Type |
Component B Approved Name (Name in Paper) |
Component B Type |
Statistical Result |
Relationship Description |
Result Category (Positive/Negative)) |
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MDD
|
syndrome |
5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A (5-HT2 receptor (serotonin-2 receptor)) |
protein |
|
Depressed patients showed a significant decrease in 5-HT2 receptor binding as measured by setoperone binding in frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital cortical regions following desipramine treatment. |
Positive
|
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Fronto-parietal connection (frontal cortex)
|
brain morphology and function |
5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A (5-HT2 receptor (serotonin-2 receptor)) |
protein |
|
The decrease in 5-HT2 receptor binding was observed bilaterally and was particularly prominent in frontal cortex. |
Positive
|
