Cited by 236Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorTreatment of Major DepressionTryptophan and brain disorders

Meta-analysis of molecular imaging of serotonin transporters in major depression

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Gryglewski, Gregor, Lanzenberger, Rupert, Kranz, Georg S, Cumming, Paul·2014·Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism

Abstract

The success of serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitors has lent support to the monoamine theory of major depressive disorder (MDD). This issue has been addressed in a number of molecular imaging studies by positron emission tomography or single-photon emission computed tomography of serotonin reuptake sites (5-HTT) in the brain of patients with MDD, with strikingly disparate conclusions. Our meta-analysis of the 18 such studies, totaling 364 MDD patients free from significant comorbidities or medication and 372 control subjects, revealed reductions in midbrain 5-HTT (Hedges' g = −0.49; 95% CI: (−0.84, −0.14)) and amygdala (Hedges' g = −0.50; 95% CI: (−0.78, −0.22)), which no individual study possessed sufficient power to detect. Only small effect sizes were found in other regions with high binding (thalamus: g = −0.24, striatum: g = −0.32, and brainstem g = −0.22), and no difference in the frontal or cingulate cortex. Age emerged as an important moderator of 5-HTT availability in MDD, with more severe reductions in striatal 5-HTT evident with greater age of the study populations ( P<0.01). There was a strong relationship between severity of depression and 5-HTT reductions in the amygdala ( P = 0.01). Thus, molecular imaging findings indeed reveal widespread reductions of ˜10% in 5-HTT availability in MDD, which may predict altered spatial-temporal dynamics of serotonergic neurotransmission.

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  1. [17]Hedges L Olkin I (1 st edn) Statistical Methods for Meta-Analysis. Academic Press: San Diego, CA, USA 1985.

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Authors
Gryglewski, G., Lanzenberger, R., Kranz, G. S., & Cumming, P.
Affiliations
  • Medical University of Vienna (AT)
  • Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (DE)
Corresponding author
Lanzenberger, Rupert
Venue
Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism
Published
2014-05-07
Volume
34
Issue
7
Pages
1096-1103
ISSN
  • 0271-678X (ISSN-L)
  • 1559-7016
OpenAlex
W2059391693
Cited by
227
References
89
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 79 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 6
FWCI
1.75
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • QUT ePrints (Queensland University of Technology) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • OPUS FAU (Kooperativer Bibliotheksverbund Berlin-Brandenburg (KOBV), on behalf of the Universitätsbibliothek Erlangen-Nürnberg) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
Funders
Austrian Science Fund (P22981)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
Keywords
serotonin transporter, major depressive disorder, molecular imaging, positron emission tomography, single photon emission computed tomography, amygdala, midbrain, striatum, age effects, depression severity, serotonergic neurotransmission
MeSH terms
Brain, Major Depressive Disorder, Humans, Serotonin, Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon, Positron-Emission Tomography, Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins

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