Fenfluramine challenge test as a marker of serotonin activity in patients with Alzheimer's dementia and agitation.
BACKGROUND
Changes in serotonin (5-HT) have been described in both Alzheimer's disease (AD) and aggressive/agitated behaviors. This paper explores a possible association between 5-HT deficits and agitation in AD, using prolactin response to d,1-fenfluramine administration as a probe for 5-HT activity.


METHODS
Five AD patients with agitation and 5 without agitation received a 60-mg oral dose of d,1-fenfluramine. Prolactin levels were obtained at baseline, and 2 and 3 hours following administration.


RESULTS
Change in prolactin levels from baseline to 3 hours was significantly larger among the agitated than the nonagitated Alzheimer's patients. Further, there was a positive and significant correlation between change in prolactin levels from baseline and level of agitation.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest an association between 5-HT responsiveness and agitation in AD.
Mintzer
J
J
Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA.
Brawman-Mintzer
O
O
Mirski
D F
DF
Unger
R
R
Nietert
P
P
Meeks
A
A
Sampson
R
R
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D001526:Behavioral Symptoms / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology; D015415:Biomarkers; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005277:Fenfluramine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D018490:Serotonin Agents
D015415:Biomarkers; D018490:Serotonin Agents; D005277:Fenfluramine; D012701:Serotonin; D011388:Prolactin