Inverse agonist binding of peripheral benzodiazepine receptors in anxiety disorder.
The binding characteristics of the pBR (peripheral benzodiazepine receptor) inverse agonist, [3H]-Ro 5-4864, were examined in patients diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder. As compared to normal healthy controls, the anxious subjects demonstrated a statistically significant (p < 0.001) increase in the density of pBR in platelets. The enhanced pBR binding correlated significantly with the severity of global anxiety symptom of the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAR-S, p < 0.001). The Psychic component, but not the Somatic component, of the HAR-S, correlated significantly (p < 0.001) with the enhanced pBR binding in platelets. The results provide evidence for the hypothesis of dysregulation of peripheral benzodiazepine receptors in generalized anxiety disorder.
Chiu
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S
Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry/Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 3Z5 Canada.
Singh
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AN
Chiu
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Mishra
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RK
D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D001570:Benzodiazepinones / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D001665:Binding Sites / Q000187:drug effects; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D058785:GABA-A Receptor Agonists; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D001570:Benzodiazepinones; D015415:Biomarkers; D058785:GABA-A Receptor Agonists; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; C028513:4'-chlorodiazepam