Dopamine D2 receptors in depression measured with single photon emission computed tomography

Biol Psychiatry. 1994 Jan 15;35(2):128-32. doi: 10.1016/0006-3223(94)91202-5.

Abstract

Psychobiological theories of mood disorders have been concerned mainly with noradrenaline and serotonin. There exists, however, a recent upsurge of interest in dopamine. We have used single photon emission computed tomography and 123I-iodobenzamide, a high-affinity ligand for D2 receptors, to study these receptors in depression. Subjects were 21 (unipolar) depressed inpatients and 11 normal controls. The mean basal ganglia/cerebellum uptake ratio was 1.94 (+/- 0.27) in the depressed patients versus 1.74 (+/- 0.17) in the controls. This difference was statistically significant (Mann-Whitney U test, p = 0.025). These data could indicate an increase of D2 receptor density in depression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Basal Ganglia / diagnostic imaging
  • Basal Ganglia / physiopathology
  • Benzamides
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Cerebellum / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebellum / physiopathology
  • Contrast Media
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnostic imaging*
  • Depressive Disorder / metabolism
  • Depressive Disorder / physiopathology
  • Dopamine / metabolism
  • Dopamine / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pyrrolidines
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2 / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2 / physiology
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Benzamides
  • Contrast Media
  • Pyrrolidines
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2
  • 3-iodo-2-hydroxy-6-methoxy-N-((1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)methyl)benzamide
  • Dopamine