5-HT₁A receptor binding is increased after recovery from bulimia nervosa compared to control women and is associated with behavioral inhibition in both groups.
OBJECTIVE
Because altered serotonin (5-HT) function appears to persist after recovery from bulimia nervosa (RBN), we investigated the 5-HT(1A) receptor, which could contribute to regulation of appetite, mood, impulse control, or the response to antidepressants.


METHODS
Thirteen RBN individuals were compared to 21 healthy control women (CW) using positron emission tomography and [carbonyl-(11)C]WAY100635 ([(11)C]WAY).


RESULTS
RBN had a 23-34% elevation of [(11)C]WAY binding potential (BP)(P) in subgenual cingulate, mesial temporal, and parietal regions after adjustments for multiple comparisons. For CW, [(11)C]WAY BP(P) was related negatively to novelty seeking, whereas for RBN, [(11)C]WAY BP(P) was related positively to harm avoidance and negatively related to sensation seeking.


CONCLUSIONS
Alterations of 5-HT(1A) receptor function may provide new insight into efficacy of 5-HT medication in BN, as well as symptoms such as the ability to inhibit or self-control the expression of behaviors related to stimulus seeking, aggression, and impulsivity.
Bailer
Ursula F
UF
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of Biological Psychiatry, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Bloss
Cinnamon S
CS
Frank
Guido K
GK
Price
Julie C
JC
Meltzer
Carolyn C
CC
Mathis
Chester A
CA
Geyer
Mark A
MA
Wagner
Angela
A
Becker
Carl R
CR
Schork
Nicholas J
NJ
Kaye
Walter H
WH
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / Q000378:metabolism*; D020127:Recovery of Function
D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A