engleski

Pre-treatment platelet serotonin concentration and response to paroxetine treatment

The disturbance of the serotonergic system is assumed to be involved in the pathogenesis of depression. Blood platelets are used as a peripheral model for the central serotonergic synaptosomes, since they are able to take up, store and release serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT). Aim: The aim of the study was to determine if pre-treatment values of platelet 5-HT concentration might predict the good therapeutic response to antidepressant paroxetine. Treatment response was determined as 50% fall in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) scores from baseline. Platelet 5-HT concentration was determined at baseline (before treatment), and after 4-5 weeks of treatment with paroxetine (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, SSRI), in 50 nonsuicidal, nonpsychotic female patients with major depression (DSM-IV criteria), and compared with values in 77 drug free healthy women. Results: Before treatment platelet 5-HT concentration differed significantly between 34 responders and 16 non-responders. The pre-treatment values of platelet 5-HT concentration were significantly higher in non-responders than in responders, or than in corresponding healthy subjects. As expected, platelet 5-HT concentration was similarly decreased after treatment in both responders and non-responders. Conclusion: In the search for the possible predictor of the therapeutic outcome, our preliminary data suggest that decreased baseline platelet 5-HT concentration found in responders might be used as an indicator of the good therapeutic response to 4-5 weeks of treatment with paroxetine in female depressed patients.

pre-treatment platelet 5-HT concentration; good therapeutic response; antidepressants; paroxetine; depression

DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-8206.2004.00261.x