title: Fenfluramine challenge test as a marker of serotonin activity in patients with Alzheimer's dementia and agitation.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mintzer
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Brawman-Mintzer
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Mirski
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Unger
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nietert
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meeks
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sampson
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D018490:Serotonin Agents; D005277:Fenfluramine; D012701:Serotonin; D011388:Prolactin