Serotonin 5-HT1A receptor binding in people with panic disorder: positron emission tomography study.
BACKGROUND
The importance of the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) in the pathophysiology of anxiety is well known. A key role for postsynaptic 5-HT(1A) receptors has recently been suggested in studies of genetic knockout mice.


OBJECTIVE
To measure 5-HT(1A) receptor binding in patients with panic disorder in the untreated state and after recovery on treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).


METHODS
Nine symptomatic untreated patients with panic disorder, seven patients recovered on SSRI medication and nineteen healthy volunteers underwent a single positron emission tomography (PET) scan using the 5-HT(1A) tracer [(11)C]WAY-100635.


RESULTS
In comparison with controls, both presynaptic and postsynaptic 5-HT(1A) receptor binding was reduced in untreated patients, with the most significant reductions being in the raphe, orbitofrontal cortex, temporal cortex and amygdala. In recovered patients presynaptic binding was reduced, but there was no significant reduction in postsynaptic binding.


CONCLUSIONS
Panic disorder is associated with reduced 5-HT(1A) receptor availability, which is also known to have a key role in depression.
Nash
Jon R
JR
University of Bristol, Bristol BS1 3NY, UK.
Sargent
Peter A
PA
Rabiner
Eugenii A
EA
Hood
Sean D
SD
Argyropoulos
Spilios V
SV
Potokar
John P
JP
Grasby
Paul M
PM
Nutt
David J
DJ