Platelet serotonin transporter in depressed children and adolescents: 3H-paroxetine platelet binding before and after sertraline.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate serotonin transporter protein (5HTPR) binding in platelets from children and adolescents with major depression (MDD) compared to normal controls using the selective ligand 3H-paroxetine.


METHODS
Children and adolescents with MDD (n = 24) defined by DSM-III-R criteria and normal controls (n = 22) were compared by platelet 5HTPR kinetic analysis with the hypothesis that 5HTPR is reduced in MDD. A subset of MDD subjects (n = 18) continued to participate in a fixed-dose, open-label sertraline trial for 6 weeks followed by drug-free washout and repeated 5HTPR analysis.


RESULTS
Sex, prepubertal status, and age had no effect on 5HTPR. Medication-free MDD subjects differed from controls in reduced binding capacity (Bmax) (p < .001). Sertraline therapy decreased binding affinity from baseline non-selectively (p < .05), and Bmax elevation from baseline was associated with nonresponse and suicide attempt history.


CONCLUSIONS
Earlier literature in this population is replicated with regard to reduced platelet 5HTPR Bmax in MDD. Findings support a continuum of 5HTPR involvement in MDD across the developmental spectrum.
Sallee
F R
FR
Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA.
Hilal
R
R
Dougherty
D
D
Beach
K
K
Nesbitt
L
L
D015057:1-Naphthylamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000293:Adolescent; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000737:chemistry; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002648:Child; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D020280:Sertraline
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D012701:Serotonin; D017374:Paroxetine; D015057:1-Naphthylamine; D020280:Sertraline