TY  - JOUR
T1  - POsitron emission tomography study of the effects of tryptophan depletion on brain serotonin2 receptors in subjects recently remitted from major depression
AU  - Yatham LN, Liddle PF, Sossi V, et al
Y1  - 2012/06/01
N1  - 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2011.1493
JO  - Archives of General Psychiatry
SP  - 601
EP  - 609
VL  - 69
IS  - 6
N2  - Context 
                  Decreased brain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) levels are considered to mediate depressive relapse induced by the tryptophan depletion paradigm. However, in patients who recently achieved remission from a major depressive episode with antidepressant treatment, only about half become depressed following tryptophan depletion. We hypothesized that downregulation of brain serotonin2 receptors might be a compensatory mechanism that prevents some patients from becoming depressed with tryptophan depletion.Objective 
                  To assess, with use of positron emission tomography, whether brain serotonin2 receptor downregulation occurs in patients with recently remitted depression who do not have depressive relapse, but not in those who become depressed, following tryptophan depletion.Design 
                  Each patient underwent 2 fluorine 18–labeled– setoperone positron emission tomography scans, one following a tryptophan depletion session and another following a control session. The order of scanning was counterbalanced.Setting 
                  Academic university hospital with imaging facilities.Participants 
                  Seventeen patients in recent remission from a DSM-IV major depressive episode following treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.Main Outcome Measures 
                  Changes in brain serotonin2 receptor binding.Results 
                  Of the 17 patients, 8 (47%) became depressed during the tryptophan depletion session, and none developed depression during the control session. The depletion session was associated with a significant reduction in brain serotonin2 receptor binding compared with the control session for all participants. A subgroup analysis revealed that the reduction in serotonin2 receptor binding was significant only for the nondepressed group.Conclusion 
                  Reduction in brain serotonin2 receptors might be a potential compensatory mechanism to prevent tryptophan depletion–induced depressive relapse.
SN  - 0003-990X
M3  - doi: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2011.1493
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2011.1493
ER  -