Platelet 5-HT(1A) receptor correlates with major depressive disorder in drug-free patients

• Published in: Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry Vol. 53; pp. 74 - 79
• Main Authors: Zhang, Zhang-Jin, Wang, Di, Man, Sui Cheung, Ng, Roger, McAlonan, Grainne M, Wong, Hei Kiu, Wong, Wendy, Lee, Jade, Tan, Qing-Rong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 04-08-2014
• Subjects: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Blood Platelets - metabolism; Depressive Disorder, Major - blood; Female; Humans; Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid - blood; Male; Middle Aged; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A - blood; Serotonin - blood; Statistics as Topic; Young Adult; 5-HT(1A) receptor; Platelet; 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA); Serotonin; Major depressive disorder
• ISSN: 1878-4216
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2014.03.004

The platelet serotonergic system has potential biomarker utility for major depressive disorder (MDD). In the present study, platelet expression of 5-HT1A receptors and serotonin transporter (SERT) proteins, and serotonin (5-HT) and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were quantified in 53 patients with MDD and 22 unaffected controls. All were drug-free, non-smokers and had no other psychiatric and cardiovascular comorbidity. The severity of depression symptoms was evaluated using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) and the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). Patients with MDD had significantly higher expression of platelet 5-HT1A receptors but significantly lower contents of platelet 5-HT, platelet-poor plasma (PPP) 5-HT and PPP 5-HIAA compared to healthy controls, and this was correlated with the severity of depression. SERT expression did not differ between the two groups. Correlation analysis confirmed a strong, inverse relationship between the 5-HT1A receptor expression and the 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels. Thus overexpression of platelet 5-HT1A receptors and reduced 5-HT tone may function as a peripheral marker of depression.