title: Serotonin 5-HT1A receptor binding in people with panic disorder: positron emission tomography study.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: University of Bristol, Bristol BS1 3NY, UK.
authors.forename: Jon R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Nash
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Sargent
authors.forename: Eugenii A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Rabiner
authors.forename: Sean D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Hood
authors.forename: Spilios V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Argyropoulos
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Potokar
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Grasby
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Nutt