Possible upregulation of hypothalamic 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors in patients with postviral fatigue syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To study the dynamic function of hypothalamic 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors in patients with postviral fatigue syndrome.


METHODS
Prospective comparison of patients with postviral fatigue syndrome with two control groups.


METHODS
Department of neurology, University of Glasgow, Southern General Hospital; department of psychiatry, St James's Hospital, Dublin.


METHODS
15 patients with postviral fatigue syndrome, 13 age and sex matched healthy subjects, and 13 patients with primary depression.


METHODS
Serum prolactin concentrations before and one, two, and three hours after administration of buspirone.


RESULTS
Because of the effects of sex hormones on prolactin secretion data for men and women were analysed separately. There was no significant difference in baseline prolactin concentrations between patients with postviral fatigue syndrome and healthy subjects or those with primary depression. However, the percentage difference between peak and baseline values was significantly higher in patients with postviral fatigue syndrome than the control groups (one way analysis of variance: women, p = 0.003; men, p = 0.004).


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest upregulation of hypothalamic 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors in patients with postviral fatigue syndrome but not in those with primary depression. The buspirone challenge test may therefore be useful in distinguishing these two conditions. Larger studies are required to explore the potential value of drugs acting on central 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors in the treatment of patients with the postviral fatigue syndrome.
Bakheit
A M
AM
University of Glasgow.
Behan
P O
PO
Dinan
T G
TG
Gray
C E
CE
O'Keane
V
V
D000328:Adult; D002065:Buspirone; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*
D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D011388:Prolactin; D002065:Buspirone