Platelet serotonin uptake and 3H-imipramine binding in panic disorder

doi:10.1016/0165-0327(89)90026-8

Journal of Affective Disorders

Volume 17, Issue 1, July–August 1989, Pages 77-81

https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(89)90026-8 Get rights and content

Abstract

Platelet serotonin uptake and ³H-imipramine binding were measured in eight patients with panic disorders and nine controls. The V_max of serotonin uptake was significantly elevated in patients compared to controls (77 ± 14 vs. 50 ± 4 pmol/10⁸ platelets/min; P <0.05) while K_m values were not different (1.46 ± 0.41 vs. 1.24 ± 0.20 μM). ³H-Imipramine binding to ruptured platelet membranes was not significantly different between patients and controls for either B_max (395 ± 71 vs. 412 ± 107 fmol/mg protein) or K_d (0.90 ± 0.18 vs. 1.09 ± 0.30 nM). The implications for a serotonergic dysfunction in panic disorders are discussed.

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The genes encoding the 5HT<inf>1Dα</inf> and 5HT<inf>1Dβ</inf> receptors are unchanged in patients with panic disorder
1996, Biological Psychiatry
To determine the serotonergic function in panic disorder, sequencing of the genes encoding the 5HT_1Dα and 5HT_1Dβ receptors was carried out. The genes for the 5HT_1Dα and 5HT_1Dβ receptors were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced by the dideoxy method. Some patients have both nucleotides C and T at position 1080 in 5HT_1Dα receptor gene; however, both of them code the same amino acid, asparagine. The 5HT_1Dβ receptor gene had a substitution from GCA²⁷⁶ to GCG²⁷⁶, not only panic disorder but also in controls; however, this substitution does not change the corresponding amino acid, alanine⁹².
Behavioral, neurochemical, anatomical and electrophysiological correlates of panic disorder: multiple transmitter interaction and neuropeptide colocalization
1995, Progress in Neurobiology
Neurochemical accounts of panic disorder focus on peripheral indices of central transmitter activity, hormonal correlates and therapeutic efficacy. Anxiogenic agents augment norepinephrine activity, some anxiolytics increase serotonin neurotransmission while benzodiazepines and antidepressants influence catecholamine, indoleamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid turnover in infrahuman subjects. Reliable correlates of central transmitter activity in panic disorder are not in evidence. While animal models of anxiety may not mirror the symptom profile of panic, neurobiological accounts of panic disorder fail to consider extensive central colocalization of neurotransmitter and putative neurotransmitters. In effect, transmitter release in major ascending and descending transmitter systems is modulated by variable neuropeptide interfacing. The behavioral concomitants of psychological disturbance likely follow from variable neurochemical release induced by stimuli as well as conditioning and sensitization. The functional role of receptor sites associated with multiple neurochemical systems may vary and the sensitivity and/or density of receptor sites may be modified. Accordingly, the behavioral and neurochemical concomitants of acute and chronic pathology may be fundamentally different from one another. The present review argues that the symptoms of panic disorder and the etiology of the illness must be evaluated against a background of genetic, organismic and experiential factors. Such variables presumably underlie the diverse behavioral symptoms associated with panic disorder and variations in the therapeutic efficacy of pharmacological treatment.
Platelet markers in suicide attempters
1995, Progress in Neuropsychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry
- 1.
  1. The authors measured ³H-imipramine (³H-IMI) binding and serotonin (5HT) uptake parameters as well as sulphotransferase activity in platelets of suicide attempters.
- 2.
  2. Platelet ³H-IMI binding sites and 5HT uptake are related to similar sites and processes present in the brain, and sulphotransferase (ST) is an enzyme involved in the catabolism of cathecholamines.
- 3.
  3. The results showed the presence of a decreased density of both ³H-IMI binding and of 5HT uptake sites, with no change in ST activity in suicide attempters, as compared with healthy controls.
- 4.
  4. The reduced ³H-IMI binding and 5HT uptake may be related to a hypofunction of presynaptic serotonergic mechanisms which might be altered in suicidal behavior.
Platelet [<sup>3</sup>H]paroxetine binding in panic disorder
1995, Journal of Affective Disorders
Platelet [³H]paroxetine binding was measured in 20 patients (14 females, six males) with panic disorder and 20 normal controls (14 females, six males). For patients with panic disorder, B_max was 1987 ± 1135 fmol/mg protein (mean ± SD) compared with control B_max values of 1626 ± 611 fmol/mg protein. The mean K_d value for the patients was 0.076 ± 0.056 nM and for the controls was 0.083 ± 0.033 nM. ANCOVA indicated no significant effect of sex, diagnosis (panic disorder vs. normal controls) or season of sampling on either K_d or B_max. The data provide no evidence for an abnormality of the platelet uptake mechanism in panic disorder.
Effectiveness of an intensive partial hospitalization program for treatment of anxiety disorders
1993, Archives of Psychiatric Nursing
This study evaluates the effectiveness of a partial hospitalization program for the treatment of anxiety disorders. The 5-week program was based on an integration of biological, cognitive, and behavioral theories. Neuman's systems theory provided the framework for the study. The 32 participants were tested pre- and posttreatment. All three hypotheses were supported; “fear of fear,” severity of impairment, and general emotional distress were all significantly lower posttreatment than pretreatment. The limitations, including the lack of a comparison group, possible sample bias, and the lack of long-term follow-up, are addressed.
Platelet serotonin uptake in panic disorder patients: A replication study
1989, Psychiatry Research
Platelet serotonin uptake was measured in 29 patients with DSM-III panic disorder or agoraphobia with panic attacks and compared to values obtained in 23 controls. Both the affinity constant (K_m) and the maximal rate of uptake (V_max) were determined in a buffered medium using ¹⁴C-serotonin. Patients and controls did not differ significantly with respect to age or K_m values. A statistically significant difference was observed for V_max (mean ± SD = 65 ± 22 pmol/10⁸ platelet/min in patients vs. 44 ± 13 pmol/10⁸ platelets/min in controls). This finding suggests an overactivity of peripheral serotonergic function in panic disorder, which may also imply a similar dysfunction centrally.

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Platelet serotonin uptake and 3H-imipramine binding in panic disorder

Abstract

Life Sci.

Psychiatr. Res.

Psychiatr. Res.

J. Biol. Chem.

J. Affect. Disord.

J. Affect. Disord.

Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.

Biol. Psychiatry

Biol. Psychiatry

Psychiatr. Res.

Neuropharmacology

Platelet serotonin uptake and ³H-imipramine binding in panic disorder