Cerebral serotonin transporter binding is inversely related to body mass index

D Erritzoe, V G Frokjaer, M T Haahr, J Kalbitzer, C Svarer, K K Holst, D L Hansen, T L Jernigan, S Lehel, G M Knudsen

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93 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

Overweight and obesity is a health threat of increasing concern and understanding the neurobiology behind obesity is instrumental to the development of effective treatment regimes. Serotonergic neurotransmission is critically involved in eating behaviour; cerebral level of serotonin (5-HT) in animal models is inversely related to food intake and body weight and some effective anti-obesity agents involve blockade of the serotonin transporter (SERT). We investigated in 60 healthy volunteers body mass index (BMI) and regional cerebral SERT binding as measured with [(11)C]DASB PET. In a linear regression model with adjustment for relevant covariates, we found that cortical and subcortical SERT binding was negatively correlated to BMI (-0.003 to -0.012 BP(ND) unit per kg/m(2)). Tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption did not affect cerebral SERT binding. Several effective anti-obesity drugs encompass blockade of the SERT; yet, our study is the first to demonstrate an abnormally decreased cerebral SERT binding in obese individuals. Whether the SERT has a direct role in the regulation of appetite and eating behaviour or whether the finding is due to a compensatory downregulation of SERT secondary to other dysfunction(s) in the serotonergic transmitter system, such as low baseline serotonin levels, remains to be established.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftNeuroImage
Vol/bind52
Udgave nummer1
Sider (fra-til)284-9
Antal sider6
ISSN1053-8119
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 1 aug. 2010

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