BACKGROUND: Bulimic, impulsive and depressive syndromes have all been associated with abnormalities in brain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) mechanisms. METHODS: We had 26 bulimic women and 22 normal-eater women report impulsive, affective, self-destructive and bulimic symptoms, and then provide serial blood samples for measurement of: [3H]-paroxetine binding in platelets; and, prolactin (PRL) responses following oral meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP). RESULTS: Bulimic status was associated with markedly reduced density of paroxetine-binding sites, modest blunting of m-CPP stimulated PRL response, and greater nausea following m-CPP. Biological variables did not co-vary with most psychopathological or eating-symptom indices. However, there were inverse associations (in bulimic women only) between scores indicating impulsivity (largely 'unreflectiveness') and density of platelet 5-HT uptake sites. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations link bulimia nervosa to altered 5-HT functioning, and suggest that there may be a relatively symptom-specific association between impulsivity and reduced 5-HT reuptake.
BACKGROUND: Bulimic, impulsive and depressive syndromes have all been associated with abnormalities in brain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) mechanisms. METHODS: We had 26 bulimic women and 22 normal-eater women report impulsive, affective, self-destructive and bulimic symptoms, and then provide serial blood samples for measurement of: [3H]-paroxetine binding in platelets; and, prolactin (PRL) responses following oral meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP). RESULTS: Bulimic status was associated with markedly reduced density of paroxetine-binding sites, modest blunting of m-CPP stimulated PRL response, and greater nausea following m-CPP. Biological variables did not co-vary with most psychopathological or eating-symptom indices. However, there were inverse associations (in bulimic women only) between scores indicating impulsivity (largely 'unreflectiveness') and density of platelet 5-HT uptake sites. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations link bulimia nervosa to altered 5-HT functioning, and suggest that there may be a relatively symptom-specific association between impulsivity and reduced 5-HT reuptake.
Authors: Liisa I Tammela; Aila Rissanen; Jyrki T Kuikka; Leila J Karhunen; Kim A Bergström; Eila Repo-Tiihonen; Hannu Naukkarinen; Esko Vanninen; Jari Tiihonen; Matti Uusitupa Journal: Psychopharmacology (Berl) Date: 2003-05-27 Impact factor: 4.530
Authors: N M K Ng Ying Kin; Joel Paris; George Schwartz; Hallie Zweig-Frank; Howard Steiger; N P V Nair Journal: Psychopharmacology (Berl) Date: 2005-10-19 Impact factor: 4.530
Authors: Ursula F Bailer; Julie C Price; Carolyn C Meltzer; Chester A Mathis; Guido K Frank; Lisa Weissfeld; Claire W McConaha; Shannan E Henry; Sarah Brooks-Achenbach; Nicole C Barbarich; Walter H Kaye Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology Date: 2004-06 Impact factor: 7.853