Serotonin 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, and 5-HT2A receptor mRNA expression in subjects with major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
Alterations of serotonin neurotransmission are implicated in both mood disorders and schizophrenia. Specific serotonin-receptor-based abnormalities in these psychiatric illnesses have been intensively studied; however, it has been difficult to draw any conclusions because of a lack of consensus. These inconsistencies have most likely arisen from the unavailability of selective ligands.


METHODS
Our study used in situ hybridization to quantify 5-HT(1A), 5-HT(1B), and 5-HT(2A) mRNA levels in the hippocampus (HC) and 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(2A) mRNA levels in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) of subjects with a history of major depression disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BPD), schizophrenia, and a normal comparison group (15 subjects per group).


RESULTS
In the DLPFC, there is a significant decrease in 5-HT(1A) mRNA of subjects with MDD and in 5-HT(2A) mRNA of subjects with BPD. Subjects with MDD have a significant decrease in 5-HT(1A) mRNA in the HC; subjects with BPD and schizophrenia had increased 5-HT(1B) mRNA levels and a significant decrease in 5-HT(2A) mRNA levels in the hippocampal formation.


CONCLUSIONS
Alterations in 5-HT(1A,) 5-HT(1B), and 5-HT(2A) mRNA levels in the brains of subjects with both mood disorders and schizophrenia add further support for hypothesis of dysregulation of the serotonergic system in these psychiatric disorders.
López-Figueroa
Antonio L
AL
Mental Health Research Institute, University of Michigan, 205 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0720, USA.
Norton
Camille S
CS
López-Figueroa
Manuel O
MO
Armellini-Dodel
Denise
D
Burke
Sharon
S
Akil
Huda
H
López
Juan F
JF
Watson
Stanley J
SJ
D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D044302:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D044302:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B; D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A