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Positron emission tomography imaging of the serotonin transporter and 5-HT(1A) receptor in alcohol dependence.

ABSTRACT: Rodent models as well as studies in humans have suggested alterations in serotonin (5-HT) innervation and transmission in early-onset genetically determined or type II alcoholism. This study examines two indices of serotonergic transmission, 5-HT transporter levels and 5-HT(1A) availability, in vivo, in type II alcoholism. This is the first report of combined tracers for pre- and postsynaptic serotonergic transmission in the same alcoholic subjects and the first study of 5-HT(1A) receptors in alcoholism.Fourteen alcohol-dependent subjects were scanned (11 with both tracers, 1 with [(11)C]DASB only, and two with [(11)C]WAY100635 only). Twelve healthy control subjects (HC) subjects were scanned with [(11)C]DASB, and another 13 were scanned with [(11)C]WAY100635. Binding potential (BP(p), mL/cm(3)) and the specific to nonspecific partition coefficient (BP(ND), unitless) were derived for both tracers using a two-tissue compartment model and compared with control subjects across different brain regions. Relationships to severity of alcoholism were assessed.No significant differences were observed in regional BP(p) or BP(ND) between patients and control subjects in any of the regions examined. No significant relationships were observed between regional 5-HT transporter availability, 5-HT(1A) availability, and disease severity, with the exception of a significant negative correlation between 5-HT transporters and years of dependence in amygdala and insula.This study did not find alterations in measures of 5-HT(1A) or 5-HT transporter levels in patients with type II alcoholism.

SUBMITTER: Martinez D

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2621104 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Positron emission tomography imaging of the serotonin transporter and 5-HT(1A) receptor in alcohol dependence.

Martinez Diana D Slifstein Mark M Gil Roberto R Hwang Dah-Ren DR Huang Yiyun Y Perez Audrey A Frankle W Gordon WG Laruelle Marc M Krystal John J Abi-Dargham Anissa A

Biological psychiatry 20081029 2

<h4>Background</h4>Rodent models as well as studies in humans have suggested alterations in serotonin (5-HT) innervation and transmission in early-onset genetically determined or type II alcoholism. This study examines two indices of serotonergic transmission, 5-HT transporter levels and 5-HT(1A) availability, in vivo, in type II alcoholism. This is the first report of combined tracers for pre- and postsynaptic serotonergic transmission in the same alcoholic subjects and the first study of 5-HT( ...[more]

PMID: 18962444

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Dataset Information

Positron emission tomography imaging of the serotonin transporter and 5-HT(1A) receptor in alcohol dependence.

Publications

Positron emission tomography imaging of the serotonin transporter and 5-HT(1A) receptor in alcohol dependence.

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