Low brain serotonin transporter binding in major depressive disorder.
We examined midbrain, medial temporal lobe, and basal ganglia serotonin transporter (SERT) distribution volume ratio (DVR) values in subjects with major depressive disorder versus healthy volunteers using a selective SERT radioligand and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). We hypothesized that the DVR value for SERT binding would be lower in depressed versus non-depressed subjects. [(123)I]-ADAM SPECT scans were acquired from 20 drug free, depressed subjects and 20 drug-free depressed subjects and 10 drug-free healthy volunteers. The primary outcome measure was the DVR value for [(123)I]-ADAM uptake in the midbrain, medial temporal lobe, and basal ganglia regions. Depressed subjects demonstrated significantly lower DVR values in the midbrain, right and left medial temporal lobe, and right and left basal ganglia. There was significant probability that lower DVR values could distinguish between depressed and non-depressed subjects in the midbrain, medial temporal lobe, and the right and left basal ganglia. These findings confirm prior observations of lower SERT binding in depression, and suggest that low SERT binding may represent a putative biomarker of depression. Future studies are needed to confirm these observations.
Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. andrew.newberg@jefferson.edu
Andrew B
AB
Newberg
Jay D
JD
Amsterdam
Nancy
N
Wintering
Justine
J
Shults
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002928:Cinanserin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012372:ROC Curve; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
C413491:2-((2-((dimethylamino)methyl)phenyl)thio)-5-iodophenylamine; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D002928:Cinanserin