Impaired platelet [3H]paroxetine binding in female patients with borderline personality disorder.
BACKGROUND
There have been few studies of platelet paroxetine binding in borderline personality disorder (BPD).


OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to determine whether female BPD subjects show abnormalities in platelet paroxetine binding.


METHODS
Twenty-one female BPD subjects and 16 age- and gender-matched normal control subjects were assessed using the following: (1) Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines, Revised, (2) Diagnostic Assessment for Personality Pathology: Brief Questionnaire, and (3) Barratt Impulsivity Scale. Platelets were collected and assayed for platelet paroxetine binding.


RESULTS
Bmax was lower in the BPD group (p < 0.0001), but differences in Kd only reached a trend level. There were no associations with trait dimensions independent of diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Reduced platelet paroxetine binding in female BPD patients may reflect presynaptic serotonin dysfunction.
Ng Ying Kin
N M K
NM
Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Paris
Joel
J
Schwartz
George
G
Zweig-Frank
Hallie
H
Steiger
Howard
H
Nair
N P V
NP
D000328:Adult; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010159:Palate / Q000378:metabolism*; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000378:metabolism*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology
D012701:Serotonin; D017374:Paroxetine