title: Jealousy and subthreshold psychopathology: a serotonergic link.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A few studies suggest that different neurotransmitters may play a role in the expression of jealousy. Our study aimed to explore the serotonergic system by means of the specific binding of (3)H-paroxetine ((3)H-Par) to platelet membranes of healthy subjects with and without excessive jealousy concerns, according to a specific self-administered questionnaire [Questionnaire for affective relationships (QAR)].
  
  
  METHODS
  The study sample includes 21 subjects concerned by jealousy thoughts and 21 control subjects without jealousy concerns, as shown by their QAR scores. Subjects of the first group were administered a battery of self-report instruments designed to detect the presence of typical, atypical and subthreshold psychopathology. Platelet membranes and (3)H-Par binding were carried out according to standardized protocols.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjects with excessive jealousy concerns had a reduced density of (3)H-Par binding as compared with control subjects without jealousy concerns and had one or more psychiatric spectrum conditions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that excessive jealousy is associated with various forms of psychopathology and may be underlain by alteration of the serotonergic system, as reflected by the lower density of the platelet serotonin transporter.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Psichiatria, Neurobiologia, Farmacologia e Biotecnologie, University of Pisa, via Roma 67, I-56100 Pisa, Italy. dmarazzi@psico.med.unipi.it
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marazziti
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rucci
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Di Nasso
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Masala
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baroni
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Gino
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giannaccini
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mengali
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lucacchini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007578:Jealousy; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D012701:Serotonin; D017374:Paroxetine