Abstract
In order to explore the neuropathology of the pre- and post-synaptic dopamine neurons of patients with major depression, we examined striatal D2/D3 receptor uptake and dopamine transporter (DAT) availability simultaneously in drug-free depressed patients using a dual-isotope single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging technique. Ten unmedicated patients with unmediated depression and ten healthy controls were recruited. The striatal dopamine D2/D3 receptor availability was measured using SPECT and [123I] IBZM, while DAT was measured using SPECT and [99mTc] TRODAT-1. The symptom changes of the drug-free patients were reassessed after a 4-week antidepressant treatment. DAT binding in the patient group were significantly higher than in control group. That was not the case, however, for striatal D2/D3 receptor availability. Pre-treatment striatal DAT availability correlated only marginally with changes in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale after 4 weeks of treatment. Central dopamine functions may be altered in patients with major depression, particularly in the pre-synaptic sites.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 230-235 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Psychiatry Research - Neuroimaging |
Volume | 162 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2008 Apr 15 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Neuroscience (miscellaneous)
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
- Psychiatry and Mental health