Increased platelet 5-HT2 receptor binding after electroconvulsive therapy in depression.
We investigated the effect of electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) on platelet 14C-serotonin uptake, 3H-paroxetine binding and 5-HT2 receptors in 12 patients (10 women and 2 men) unresponsive to pharmacological treatment. The mean numbers of ECTs given was 6.1 +/- 1.5. Mean treatment days was 14.6 +/- 3.8. Mean percent reduction in MADRS scores was 80.7 +/- 19.7 (p < 0.002). The number of 5-HT2 receptors increased significantly and uniformly after ECT (p = 0.011). There was no correlation between the degree of increase in 5-HT2 receptor densities and the reduction in MADRS scores after ECT. There was no difference in mean Bmax for platelet 3H-paroxetine binding before and after ECT. Bmax increased in six patients and decreased in six patients. The study shows an increase in platelet 5-HT2-receptor densities in depression after repeated ECT. Recognizing the similarities between 5-HT2 receptors in platelets and cerebral cortex, it seems reasonable to assume that a similar upregulation of cortical 5-HT2 receptors occurs after ECT.
Stain-Malmgren
R
R
Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, St. Görans Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Tham
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A
Aberg-Wistedt
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A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000502:physiology; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011869:Radioligand Assay; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D017374:Paroxetine; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012701:Serotonin; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human