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Positron emission tomography (PET) studies with the selective 5-HT(1A) receptor ligand, [(11)C]WAY-100635, have indicated that the binding potential (BP) of brain 5-HT(1A) receptors is lowered in unmedicated subjects with acute major depression. However, it is unclear if these changes persist after recovery from depression. To resolve this issue, we used [(11)C]WAY-100635 in conjunction with PET imaging to compare 5-HT(1A) BP in 18 healthy controls and 14 male subjects with recurrent major depression who were clinically recovered and free of antidepressant medication. BP values, derived from a reference tissue model, were analysed by region of interest and statistical parametric mapping. Both analyses showed a widespread and substantial (17%) decrease in 5-HT(1A) receptor BP in cortical areas in the recovered depressed subjects. In contrast, 5-HT(1A) BP in the raphe nuclei did not distinguish depressed subjects from controls. Our results suggest a persistent dysfunction in cortical 5-HT(1A) BP as measured by [(11)C]WAY-100635 in recovered depressed men. Lowered 5-HT(1A) receptor binding availability could represent a trait abnormality that confers vulnerability to recurrent major depression.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/sj.mp.4001401

Type

Journal article

Journal

Mol Psychiatry

Publication Date

04/2004

Volume

9

Pages

386 - 392

Keywords

Antidepressive Agents, Brain Mapping, Carbon Isotopes, Cerebral Cortex, Depressive Disorder, Major, Humans, Male, Matched-Pair Analysis, Middle Aged, Piperazines, Positron-Emission Tomography, Pyridines, Radiopharmaceuticals, Raphe Nuclei, Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A, Reference Values, Serotonin Antagonists