Brain 5-HT1A receptor binding in chronic fatigue syndrome measured using positron emission tomography and [11C]WAY-100635.
BACKGROUND
Research from neuroendocrine challenge and other indirect studies has suggested increased central 5-HT function in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and increased 5-HT1A receptor sensitivity. We assessed brain 5-HT1A receptor binding potential directly using the specific radioligand [11C]WAY-100635 and positron emission tomography (PET).


METHODS
We selected 10 patients from a tertiary referral clinic who fulfilled the CDC consensus criteria for CFS. To assemble a homogenous group and avoid confounding effects, we enrolled only subjects who were completely medication-free and did not have current comorbid psychiatric illness. We also scanned 10 healthy control subjects.


RESULTS
There was a widespread reduction in 5-HT1A receptor binding potential in CFS relative to control subjects. This was particularly marked in the hippocampus bilaterally, where a 23% reduction was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
There is evidence of decreased 5-HT1A receptor number or affinity in CFS. This may be a primary feature of CFS, related to the underlying pathophysiology, or a finding secondary to other processes, such as previous depression, other biological changes or the behavioral consequences of CFS.
Cleare
Anthony J
AJ
Section of Neurobiology of Mood Disorders, Division of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry and Guy-s, King-s and St. Thomas- School of Medicine, London, United Kingdom. a.cleare@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Messa
Cristina
C
Rabiner
Eugenii A
EA
Grasby
Paul M
PM
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000378:metabolism; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects; D011725:Pyridines / Q000378:metabolism; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / Q000378:metabolism*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000378:metabolism
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D010879:Piperazines; D011725:Pyridines; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A; C090413:N-(2-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl)ethyl)-N-(2-pyridinyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide