Lack of association between [ 3H]imipramine binding sites and uptake of serotonin in control, depressed and schizophrenic patients

Abstract

Uptake of serotonin and [ 3H]imipramine binding were studied in parallel in the platelets of control, depressed and schizophrenic patients. In the depressed patient group, uptake of serotonin was consistently reduced while [ 3H]imipramine binding was only decreased in a number of these patients. In the schizophrenic group, uptake of serotonin was reduced to 62% of control with no changes in [ 3H]imipramine binding being observed. These data demonstrate a clear dissociation between uptake of serotonin and [ 3H]imipramine binding sites in human platelets. The possible functional role of these [ 3H]imipramine binding sites remains to be determined.