Cortical serotonin 5-HT2A receptor binding and social communication in adults with Asperger's syndrome: an in vivo SPECT study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The cause of autistic spectrum disorder (i.e., autism and Asperger's syndrome) is unknown. The serotonergic (5-HT) system may be especially implicated. However, cortical 5-HT2A receptor density in adults with the disorder has not been examined, to the authors' knowledge.

METHOD:

The authors investigated cortical 5-HT2A receptor binding in eight adults with Asperger's syndrome and in 10 healthy comparison subjects with single photon emission computed tomography and the selective 5-HT2A receptor ligand 123I iodinated 4-amino-N-[1-[3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl]-4-methyl-4-piperidinyl]-5-iodo-2-methoxybenzamide (123I-5-I-R91150).

RESULTS:

People with Asperger's syndrome had a significant reduction in cortical 5-HT2A receptor binding in the total, anterior, and posterior cingulate; bilaterally in the frontal and superior temporal lobes; and in the left parietal lobe. Also, reduced receptor binding was significantly related to abnormal social communication.

CONCLUSIONS:

The authors' findings suggest that adults with Asperger's syndrome have abnormalities in cortical 5-HT2A receptor density and that this deficit may underlie some clinical symptoms.

• Authors: Declan G M Murphy, Eileen Daly, Nicole Schmitz, Fiona Toal, Keiran Murphy, Sarah Curran, Kjell Erlandsson, Jos Eersels, Robert Kerwin, Peter Ell, Michael Travis
• Journal: The American journal of psychiatry (Am J Psychiatry) Vol. 163 Issue 5 Pg. 934-6 (May 2006) ISSN: 0002-953X [Print] United States
• PMID: 16648340 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Iodine Radioisotopes
• Piperidines
• R 91150
• Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A

Topics

• Adult
• Asperger Syndrome (diagnostic imaging, metabolism, psychology)
• Cerebral Cortex (diagnostic imaging, metabolism)
• Communication
• Functional Laterality
• Gyrus Cinguli (diagnostic imaging, metabolism)
• Humans
• Iodine Radioisotopes
• Male
• Parietal Lobe (diagnostic imaging, metabolism)
• Piperidines
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A (metabolism)
• Social Behavior
• Temporal Lobe (diagnostic imaging, metabolism)
• Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon