PLATELET IMIPRAMINE BINDING IN PATIENTS WITH POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER BEFORE AND AFTER PHENELZINE TREATMENT

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is frequently associated with maj or depressive disorder, and antidepressants have been reported to amel iorate PTSD symptoms in some patients. The present study assessed the number and affinity of platelet imipramine binding sites, as a marker of the serotonin transporter complex, in PTSD male patients (n = 10) b efore and after phenelzine treatment (30-60 mg/day, for 4 weeks) as we ll as in comparison to healthy controls (n = 10). In our sample, there was no evidence of a significant difference ill the characteristics ( B-max and K-d) Of platelet [H-3]imipramine binding between the PTSD pa tients and the controls and within PTSD patients before and after phen elzine treatment. Moreover, no beneficial effect of phenelzine was det ected in the patients (as assessed by PTSD, anxiety, and depression sc ales).