Abstract
BackgroundPurpose of the study was to investigate alterations in midbrain serotonin transporter (SERT) binding in patients with epilepsy and symptoms of depression compared to patients with epilepsy with no symptoms of depression.MethodsWe studied 12 patients with epilepsy (7 patients had focal and 5 had generalized epilepsy syndromes). The presence of self-reported symptoms of depression was assessed using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Emotional State Questionnaire (EST-Q). The binding potential of the SERT was assessed by performing brain single photon emission tomography (SPET) using the SERT radioligand 2-((2-((dimethylamino)methyl)phenyl)thio)-5-(123)iodophenylamine (123I-ADAM).ResultsSeven patients had BDI and EST-Q subscale scores greater than 11 points, which was interpreted as the presence of symptoms of depression. We found that 123I-ADAM binding was not significantly different between patients with epilepsy with and without symptoms of depression. In addition, 123I-ADAM binding did not show a significant correlation to either BDI or EST-Q depression subscale scores and did not differ between patients with focal vs. generalized epilepsy.ConclusionThe results of our study failed to demonstrate alterations of SERT binding properties in patients with epilepsy with or without symptoms of depression.
Highlights
Purpose of the study was to investigate alterations in midbrain serotonin transporter (SERT) binding in patients with epilepsy and symptoms of depression compared to patients with epilepsy with no symptoms of depression
The aim of the current study was to investigate SERT binding in the midbrain of patients with epilepsy with symptoms of depression, and to determine differences in SERT binding compared to patients with epilepsy without symptoms of depression
Epilepsy could be considered treatment resistant in the majority of the patients, eight of whom were on polytherapy with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)
Summary
Purpose of the study was to investigate alterations in midbrain serotonin transporter (SERT) binding in patients with epilepsy and symptoms of depression compared to patients with epilepsy with no symptoms of depression. The presence of a psychiatric disorder, such as depression, has been shown to reduce seizure threshold, and depression and attempted suicide themselves are risk factors for epilepsy [3,4,5] These findings have led to the concept of a bidirectional relation between epilepsy and depression [6]. Several neuroimaging studies using different positron emission tomography (PET) or single photon emission tomography (SPET) tracers for various components of serotonergic system in the brain have supported the involvement of 5-HT in major depressive disorder These alterations include increased serotonin transporter (SERT) binding in the thalamus and limbic regions [12], or decreased brainstem and midbrain SERT binding [13,14,15], as well as reduced 5HT1A receptor binding potential in various limbic and neocortical regions and the raphe nuclei [16]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
