title: Serotonin transporter availability in thalamic subregions in schizophrenia: a study using 7.0-T MRI with [(11)C]DASB high-resolution PET.
abstract: The serotonin transporter (SERT) is an integral protein that provides an index of serotonergic innervation. Until recently, few studies have investigated SERT binding in thalamic subregions in schizophrenia. The purpose of this study was to examine SERT availability in thalamic subdivisions (anterior nucleus, mediodorsal nucleus, and pulvinar) using 7.0-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and high-resolution positron emission tomography (PET) with (11)C-3-amino-4-(2-dimethylaminomethylphenylthio)benzonitrile ([(11)C]DASB) in schizophrenia. Antipsychotic-free patients with schizophrenia (n=12) and healthy controls (n=15) underwent PET and MRI scans. For SERT availability, the binding potential with respect to non-displaceable compartment (BPND) was derived using the simplified reference tissue model (SRTM2). The analysis revealed that there were no significant differences in SERT availability between the two groups. In patients with schizophrenia, the severity of negative symptoms had a negative correlation with SERT availability in the anterior nucleus of the left thalamus. The present study did not reveal significant differences in SERT availability in thalamic subdivisions between patients with schizophrenia and control subjects. The association of SERT availability in the anterior nucleus with negative symptoms may suggest a role for the anterior thalamic nucleus in the pathophysiology of symptoms of schizophrenia. The ultra-high resolution imaging system could be an important asset for in vivo psychiatric research by combining structural and molecular information.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea; Neuroscience Research Institute, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jong-Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Institute, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Health Science, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Don
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Son
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Institute, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong-Hee
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Institute, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eun-Jung
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Institute, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea; Department of Radiological Science, College of Health Science, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sang-Yoon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Gachon University Graduate School of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jee Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Institute, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Zang-Hee
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Institute, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea; Department of Neurosurgery, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: neurokim@gachon.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Young-Bo
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000814:Aniline Compounds; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D013440:Sulfides; D013788:Thalamus / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C412822:3-amino-4-(2-dimethylaminomethylphenylsulfanyl)benzonitrile; D000814:Aniline Compounds; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D013440:Sulfides
keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging; Positron emission tomography; Schizophrenia; Serotonin transporter; Thalamus; [(11)C]DASB