[123I] beta-CIT and single photon emission computed tomography reveal reduced brain serotonin transporter availability in bulimia nervosa.

Abstract

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.

• Authors: J Tauscher, W Pirker, M Willeit, M de Zwaan, U Bailer, A Neumeister, S Asenbaum, C Lennkh, N Praschak-Rieder, T Brücke, S Kasper
• Journal: Biological psychiatry (Biol Psychiatry) Vol. 49 Issue 4 Pg. 326-32 (Feb 15 2001) ISSN: 0006-3223 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11239903 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Carrier Proteins
• Radiopharmaceuticals
• Serotonin

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Binding, Competitive (physiology)
• Biological Transport, Active (physiology)
• Brain (metabolism)
• Bulimia (metabolism, therapy)
• Carrier Proteins (metabolism)
• Cerebellum (metabolism)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Depression (diagnosis, psychology)
• Female
• Humans
• Radiopharmaceuticals
• Serotonin (metabolism)
• Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon