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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Higher striatal dopamine transporter density in PTSD: an in vivo SPECT study with [Tc-99m]TRODAT-1

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Author(s):
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Hoexter, Marcelo Q. [1, 2, 3] ; Fadel, Gustavo [2] ; Felicio, Andre C. [2, 3] ; Calzavara, Mariana B. [2] ; Batista, Ilza R. [2, 3] ; Reis, Marilia A. [2, 3] ; Shih, Ming C. [2, 3] ; Pitman, Roger K. [1] ; Andreoli, Sergio B. [4] ; Mello, Marcelo F. [5] ; Mari, Jair J. [2] ; Bressan, Rodrigo A. [2, 3]
Total Authors: 12
Affiliation:
[1] Harvard Univ, Sch Med, Dept Psychiat, Massachusetts Gen Hosp, Boston, MA 02115 - USA
[2] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, LiNC, Dept Psiquiatria, BR-04039032 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[3] Hosp Israelita Albert Einstein, Inst Cerebro, Inst Ensino & Pesquisa, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[4] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Nucleo Estat & Metodol Aplicadas NEMAP, Dept Psiquiatria, BR-04039032 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[5] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Programa Atendimento & Pesquisa Violencia PROVE, Dept Psiquiatria, BR-04039032 Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 5
Document type: Journal article
Source: Psychopharmacology; v. 224, n. 2, p. 337-345, NOV 2012.
Web of Science Citations: 25
Abstract

Some evidence suggests a hyperdopaminergic state in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The 9-repetition allele (9R) located in the 3' untranslated region of the dopamine transporter (DAT) gene (SLC6A3) is more frequent among PTSD patients. In vivo molecular imaging studies have shown that healthy 9R carriers have increased striatal DAT binding. However, no prior study evaluated in vivo striatal DAT density in PTSD. The objective of this study was to evaluate in vivo striatal DAT density in PTSD. Twenty-one PTSD subjects and 21 control subjects, who were traumatized but asymptomatic, closely matched comparison subjects evaluated with the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale underwent a single-photon emission computed tomography scan with {[}(TC)-T-99m]-TRODAT-1. DAT binding potential (DAT-BP) was calculated using the striatum as the region of the interest and the occipital cortex as a reference region. PTSD patients had greater bilateral striatal DAT-BP (mean +/- SD; left, 1.80 +/- 0.42; right, 1.78 +/- 0.40) than traumatized control subjects (left, 1.62 +/- 0.32; right, 1.61 +/- 0.31; p = 0.039 for the left striatum and p = 0.032 for the right striatum). These results provide the first in vivo evidence for increased DAT density in PTSD. Increases in DAT density may reflect higher dopamine turnover in PTSD, which could contribute to the perpetuation and potentiation of exaggerated fear responses to a given event associated with the traumatic experience. Situations that resemble the traumatic event turn to be interpreted as highly salient (driving attention, arousal, and motivation) in detriment of other daily situations. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 04/15039-0 - Post-traumatic stress disorder: epidemiology, physiopathology and treatment
Grantee:Jair de Jesus Mari
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants