Midbrain binding of [123I]nor-beta-CIT in atypical depression.
BACKGROUND
Altered serotonin (SERT) and dopamine transporter (DAT) densities have been recorded in major depression. Atypical depression (ATD) has been suggested to be connected to decreased serotonergic transmission, but no studies have been published on the association between brain serotonin transporter density and ATD.


METHODS
PATIENTS with depression (n=29) were divided into three groups according to DSM-IV criteria: atypically depressed, melancholic patients, and "undifferentiated" patients. Depressive symptoms were evaluated with the 29-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D-29). Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with [(123)I]nor-beta-CIT was used to evaluate serotonin transporter density (SERT) in the midbrain and dopamine transporter density (DAT) in the striatum of patients and healthy controls (n=18).


RESULTS
All subgroups except those with undifferentiated depression had lower SERT densities compared to controls. No significant differences were found in the densities between the subgroups. Atypical scores of HAM-D-29 were associated with SERT densities in the midbrain (beta=-0.40, t=-2.3, p=0.03), even after adjustment for age, gender and HAM-D-21 scores (beta=-0.39, t=-2.32, p=0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
The association between atypical scores of HAM-D-29 and midbrain SERT densities suggests a relationship between serotonergic dysfunction and ATD.
Lehto
Soili
S
Department of Psychiatry, Kuopio University Hospital, 70210 Kuopio, Finland. smlehto@hytti.uku.fi <smlehto@hytti.uku.fi>
Tolmunen
Tommi
T
Joensuu
Mikko
M
Saarinen
Pirjo Irmeli
PI
Vanninen
Ritva
R
Ahola
Pasi
P
Tiihonen
Jari
J
Kuikka
Jyrki
J
Lehtonen
Johannes
J
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003042:Cocaine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D003863:Depression / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007456:Iodine Isotopes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008297:Male; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
D007456:Iodine Isotopes; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; C069723:2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyl)tropane; D003042:Cocaine