Baseline symptom severity predicts serotonin transporter change during psychotherapy in patients with major depression
Mikko Joensuu, Pasi Ahola, Paul Knekt, Olavi Lindfors, Pirjo Saarinen, Tommi Tolmunen, Minna Valkonen-Korhonen, Ritva Vanninen, Tuija Jääskeläinen, Esa Virtala, Jyrki Kuikka, Jari Tiihonen, Johannes Lehtonen, Mikko Joensuu, Pasi Ahola, Paul Knekt, Olavi Lindfors, Pirjo Saarinen, Tommi Tolmunen, Minna Valkonen-Korhonen, Ritva Vanninen, Tuija Jääskeläinen, Esa Virtala, Jyrki Kuikka, Jari Tiihonen, Johannes Lehtonen
Abstract
Aims: The role of the serotonin transporter (SERT) in the pathophysiology of depression is unclear and only a few follow-up studies exist. Our aim was to measure changes in SERT availability during psychodynamic psychotherapy in patients with major depression over a follow-up time of 12 or 18 months.
Methods: The patients were studied with iodine-123 labelled 2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-iodophenyl) serial single-photon emission tomography imaging and clinical rating scales of symptoms.
Results: Changes in SERT availability had no correlation with the change of symptoms, but the change of SERT availability during psychotherapy in the midbrain was predicted by the baseline severity of the clinical symptoms measured by the Symptom Checklist Depression Scale and the Symptom Checklist Global Severity Index. With cut-off values applied, it was found that SERT availabilities increased in patients with high baseline symptoms, and decreased in patients with low baseline symptoms.
Conclusions: Together with our earlier finding of decreased SERT in patients with depression, these results indicate a state-dependent and possibly a compensatory role of decreased SERT availability in depression.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00594711.
Keywords: follow-up; midbrain; psychodynamic psychotherapy; serial single-photon emission tomography; serotonin transporter.
© 2015 The Authors. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences © 2015 Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Source: PubMed