BACKGROUND: Impaired serotonin transmission has been implicated in the pathophysiology of eating disorders. We investigated the in vivo availability of brain serotonin transporters and dopamine transporters in bulimia nervosa patients. METHODS: Approximately 24 hours after injection of [123I]-2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyl)tropane ([123I] beta-CIT), single photon emission computed tomography scans were performed in 10 medication-free, female bulimic patients and 10 age-matched, healthy females. For quantification of brain serotonin transporter and dopamine transporter availability, a ratio of specific to nonspecific [123I] beta-CIT brain binding was used (V(3)" = target region - cerebellum/cerebellum). RESULTS: Drug-free bulimia nervosa patients showed a 17% reduced brain serotonin transporter availability in the hypothalamus and thalamus, as compared with healthy control subjects (2.4 +/- 0.4 vs. 2.9 +/- 0.4, p =.026), and a similar reduction in striatal dopamine transporter availability. There was a negative correlation of illness duration and serotonin transporter availability (r = -.65; p =.042) and a strong positive correlation between hypothalamic/thalamic and striatal V(3)" (r =.80, p <.001). CONCLUSIONS: This first report of reduced [123I] beta-CIT binding in a relatively small group of patients with bulimia nervosa suggests a reduced hypothalamic and thalamic serotonin transporter availability in bulimia, which is more pronounced with longer duration of illness.
BACKGROUND: Impaired serotonin transmission has been implicated in the pathophysiology of eating disorders. We investigated the in vivo availability of brain serotonin transporters and dopamine transporters in bulimia nervosapatients. METHODS: Approximately 24 hours after injection of [123I]-2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyl)tropane ([123I] beta-CIT), single photon emission computed tomography scans were performed in 10 medication-free, female bulimic patients and 10 age-matched, healthy females. For quantification of brain serotonin transporter and dopamine transporter availability, a ratio of specific to nonspecific [123I] beta-CIT brain binding was used (V(3)" = target region - cerebellum/cerebellum). RESULTS:Drug-free bulimia nervosapatients showed a 17% reduced brain serotonin transporter availability in the hypothalamus and thalamus, as compared with healthy control subjects (2.4 +/- 0.4 vs. 2.9 +/- 0.4, p =.026), and a similar reduction in striatal dopamine transporter availability. There was a negative correlation of illness duration and serotonin transporter availability (r = -.65; p =.042) and a strong positive correlation between hypothalamic/thalamic and striatal V(3)" (r =.80, p <.001). CONCLUSIONS: This first report of reduced [123I] beta-CIT binding in a relatively small group of patients with bulimia nervosa suggests a reduced hypothalamic and thalamic serotonin transporter availability in bulimia, which is more pronounced with longer duration of illness.
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: Howard Steiger; Jodie Richardson; Ridha Joober; Lise Gauvin; Mimi Israel; Kenneth R Bruce; N M K Ng Ying Kin; Heidi Howard; Simon N Young Journal: J Psychiatry Neurosci Date: 2007-09 Impact factor: 6.186
Authors: Jennifer D Lundgren; Andrew B Newberg; Kelly C Allison; Nancy A Wintering; Karl Ploessl; Albert J Stunkard Journal: Psychiatry Res Date: 2008-02-20 Impact factor: 3.222
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