Implications of impulsive and affective symptoms for serotonin function in bulimia nervosa.
BACKGROUND
Bulimic, impulsive and depressive syndromes have all been associated with abnormalities in brain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) mechanisms.


METHODS
We had 26 bulimic women and 22 normal-eater women report impulsive, affective, self-destructive and bulimic symptoms, and then provide serial blood samples for measurement of: [3H]-paroxetine binding in platelets; and, prolactin (PRL) responses following oral meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP).


RESULTS
Bulimic status was associated with markedly reduced density of paroxetine-binding sites, modest blunting of m-CPP stimulated PRL response, and greater nausea following m-CPP. Biological variables did not co-vary with most psychopathological or eating-symptom indices. However, there were inverse associations (in bulimic women only) between scores indicating impulsivity (largely 'unreflectiveness') and density of platelet 5-HT uptake sites.


CONCLUSIONS
Our observations link bulimia nervosa to altered 5-HT functioning, and suggest that there may be a relatively symptom-specific association between impulsivity and reduced 5-HT reuptake.
Steiger
H
H
Eating Disorders Program and Research Centre, Douglas Hospital, Verdun, Quebec, Canada.
Young
S N
SN
Kin
N M
NM
Koerner
N
N
Israel
M
M
Lageix
P
P
Paris
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001665:Binding Sites; D001792:Blood Platelets; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D002032:Bulimia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011388:Prolactin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D010879:Piperazines; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D012701:Serotonin; D011388:Prolactin; C015068:1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine