Anxiety is associated with reduced central serotonin transporter availability in unmedicated patients with unipolar major depression: a [11C]DASB PET study.

Serotonergic dysfunction may contribute to negative mood states in affective disorders. Some in vivo imaging studies showed reduced availability of serotonin transporters (5-HTT) in the brainstem and thalamus of patients with major depression. We tested the hypothesis that 5-HTT availability is reduced in unmedicated unipolar patients with major depression compared to healthy control subjects matched for gender, age, genotype and smoking status. Availability of 5-HTT was measured in vivo with positron emission tomography and [(11)C]-3-amino-4-(2-dimethylaminomethyl-phenylsulfanyl)-benzonitrile (DASB) in the midbrain, thalamus and amygdala. DASB binding was correlated with the severity of depression (Beck's Depression Inventory), anxiety (Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) and personality traits (Temperament and Character Inventory). Patients with major depression displayed reduced 5-HTT availability in the thalamus (P=0.005). In patients, low serotonin transporter availability correlated with high anxiety (thalamus: r=-0.78, P=0.004; midbrain: r=-0.78, P=0.004; amygdala: r=-0.80, P=0.003). Correlations with severity of depression were weaker and did not survive correction for multiple testing. These results support the hypothesis that central serotonergic dysfunction is associated with negative mood states in affective disorders. In the thalamus, a low serotonin reuptake capacity may interfere with thalamic control of cortical excitability and contribute to anxiety rather than depression per se in major depression.

Reduced availability of serotonin transporters in obsessive-compulsive disorder correlates with symptom severity - a [11C]DASB PET study.

Reduced availability of brainstem serotonin transporters (5-HTT) has been observed in vivo in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, results vary and may be influenced by competition with endogenous serotonin. Using positron emission tomography (PET) and [11C]DASB, a specific 5-HTT ligand that showed no competition with serotonin for 5-HTT binding in vitro, we tested the hypothesis that 5-HTT availability is reduced in OCD patients and correlated with OCD severity. METHODS. 5-HTT availability in the thalamus and the midbrain was measured in nine drug-free OCD patients and compared with 19 healthy controls, matched for the individual combination of 5-HTT genotype, gender and smoking status. OCD severity was assessed with the Yale-Brown obsessive compulsive scale (Y-BOCS). RESULTS. 5-HTT availability was significantly reduced in the thalamus and midbrain of OCD patients. Age and 5-HTT in the thalamus explained 83% of OCD severity in patients that were drug-free for at least 1 year. CONCLUSION. This PET study confirms a central role of the serotonergic system, particularly the thalamus in the pathogenesis of obsessive compulsive disorder.

[Preoperative information]. / Präoperative Aufklärung. Entwicklung eines multimedialen Patienteninformationssystems zur präoperativen Aufklärung auf CD-ROM und initiale Studien zur Patientenakzeptanz.

BACKGROUND: Many empirical studies have identified the quality and communication of patient information as a major weak point in the treatment process. Patient information can be made considerably more effective by multimedia communication of contents tailored to the patient's needs. Computer-based training (CBT) takes the multimedia presentation one step further. METHODS: Using the Macromedia Director 8.5 authoring software, a multimedia system for pre-operative patient information was developed on CD-ROM for a limited area of oral and maxillofacial surgery. This information system was evaluated for quality assurance on the basis of a random sample of 85 patients in a test lasting about 20 min. Impressions were determined with regard to design features, motivation, understanding, the subjective communication of knowledge, the newly acquired competence and acceptance compared with other media (information leaflets, Internet, conventional information). RESULTS: The analysis of the program test revealed a hugely positive assessment of the interactive program in respect of layout, functionality and design as well as in respect of structuring and the subjective understanding of the underlying complaint, therapy and potential complications. In a comparison with other information media such as information leaflets and the Internet, the program was rated just as good or better by over 70% of the respondents. Only conventional consultation with a doctor came off better in a direct comparison. CONCLUSION: It was shown that the quality of preoperative patient information can be improved through multimedia presentation and that it would be sensible to make use of modern media for the purposes of giving patients graphic information.