Smedh K, Spigset O, Allard P, Mjörndal T, Adolfsson R. Platelet [3H]paroxetine and [3H]lysergic acid diethylamide binding in seasonal affective disorder and the effect of bright light therapy.
Biol Psychiatry 1999;
45:464-70. [PMID:
10071719 DOI:
10.1016/s0006-3223(98)00069-9]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) has been regarded as a melatonin disorder, but the pathophysiological mechanisms of SAD are to a large extent unclarified. Serotonergic mechanisms have also been studied, but they have shown inconsistent results.
METHODS
We have compared [3H]paroxetine and [3H]lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) binding in platelets from 23 SAD patients and 23 controls. Then SAD patients had 4 weeks of light therapy. On the last treatment day new blood samples were drawn. Symptoms before and after light treatment were measured by SIGH-SAD.
RESULTS
Bmax for paroxetine binding before light treatment was higher in SAD patients compared to controls and also higher in responders than in nonresponders. Bmax decreased significantly during light treatment. We also found a negative correlation between the two Bmax values before but not after light treatment. There was a negative correlation between Bmax for paroxetine binding before treatment and clinical status after treatment. Patients with reduced Bmax for LSD binding after treatment had a better clinical treatment response.
CONCLUSIONS
The present study indicates that serotonin receptor parameters might be suitable in the prediction of clinical response to light treatment.
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