title: Probing the Serotonin Transporter Availability Among Male Cigarette Smokers: A SPECT Study With [123I] ADAM.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Genetic studies have suggested that the serotonin transporter (SERT) could be associated with cigarette smoking. However, evidence from neuroimaging is scarce. The aim of the present study was to examine the SERT availability among cigarette smokers by using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen male smokers and 32 controls were enrolled. The SERT availability was measured by SPECT with a radiotracer, [I] ADAM, which is highly sensitive and specific to SERT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference in SERT availability was found between 2 groups in the midbrain (smokers: 2.12 ± 0.70, nonsmokers: 2.13 ± 0.63; P = 0.86), basal ganglia (smokers: 0.83 ± 0.30, nonsmokers:0.90 ± 0.39; P = 0.95), or thalamus (smokers: 1.14 ± 0.41, nonsmokers: 1.20 ± 0.38; P = 0.88). No significant association was found between the SERT availability, and either the breath carbon monoxide level or the score of the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Whether the SERT availability in the brain is altered in smokers remains unclear.
authors.affiliation: Department of Alcohol and Drug Dependence, Beijing Hui-Long-Guan Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China (R-JZ); Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan (S-HL, L-TL, IHL, PSC, KCC, YKY); Addiction Research Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan (S-HL, IHL, PSC, KCC, YKY); Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University, Dou-Liou Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan (IHL, YKY); and Institute of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan (YKY).
authors.forename: Rong-Jiang
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Shih-Hsien
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Lan-Ting
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: I Hui
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Po See
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Kao Chin
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yen Kuang
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002928:Cinanserin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D059907:Functional Neuroimaging; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012907:Smoking / Q000378:metabolism*; D013788:Thalamus / Q000378:metabolism; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C413491:2-((2-((dimethylamino)methyl)phenyl)thio)-5-iodophenylamine; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D002928:Cinanserin