Decreased prefrontal 5-HT2A receptor binding in subjects at enhanced risk for schizophrenia.
The brain serotonin-2A receptor (5-HT(2A)R) has been implicated in both the pathology of schizophrenia and the therapeutic action of atypical antipsychotics. However, little is known about the 5-HT(2A)R status before the onset of schizophrenia and before the exposure to antipsychotics. We used [18F] altanserin and positron emission tomography (PET) in a pilot study of 6 individuals suspected to be at elevated risk for schizophrenia and seven age-matched controls to test the hypothesis that regional 5-HT(2A)R binding is altered in the prodromal stages of schizophrenia. Distribution volume ratios (DVRs) as a proxy for 5-HT(2A)R availability were significantly reduced in prefrontal cortex regions of at-risk subjects, implicating early abnormalities of serotonergic neurotransmission that antecede the onset of schizophrenia.
Hurlemann
René
R
Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany. Rene.Hurlemann@ukb.uni-bonn.de
Boy
Christian
C
Meyer
Philipp T
PT
Scherk
Harald
H
Wagner
Michael
M
Herzog
Hans
H
Coenen
Heinz H
HH
Vogeley
Kai
K
Falkai
Peter
P
Zilles
Karl
K
Maier
Wolfgang
W
Bauer
Andreas
A
D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007650:Ketanserin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A; C071983:altanserin; D007650:Ketanserin