Alterations in platelet serotonin transporter binding in women with postpartum onset major depression.
There is considerable debate as to whether postpartum depression (PPD) is biologically distinct from other depressive syndromes. Although abnormalities in serotonergic neural systems have repeatedly been reported in depression, few such studies have been conducted in PPD. In the present study, platelet serotonin transporter (SERT) binding was assessed using [(3)H]paroxetine in 14 depressed pregnant women, 31 normal healthy pregnant women, 39 depressed postpartum women, and 27 normal healthy postpartum women; all of the subjects were drug-free. Significant differences were detected among the 4 groups with respect to the dissociation constant (Kd) of platelet binding sites for [(3)H]paroxetine with the highest Kd values among those with PPD. The density (Bmax) of platelet binding sites for [(3)H]paroxetine did not differ between the study groups. These data suggest that PPD may be associated with unique alterations in serotonergic function that are specific to the puerperium.
Newport
D Jeffrey
DJ
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365 Clifton Road NE, Suite B6100, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Owens
Michael J
MJ
Knight
David L
DL
Ragan
Kim
K
Morgan
Neal
N
Nemeroff
Charles B
CB
Stowe
Zachary N
ZN
D000328:Adult; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012701:Serotonin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D012701:Serotonin