PLATELET PAROXETINE BINDING AND LIGHT THERAPY IN WINTER DEPRESSION

The effect of light therapy on serotonin uptake capacity in patients s uffering from winter depressions (seasonal affective disorders) was ex amined indirectly by using [H-3]paroxetine binding to determine the nu mber of platelet serotonin transporters. In patients who responded to light therapy the number of platelet serotonin transporters decreased significantly following treatment. In contrast, patients who did not r espond to light therapy were found to have a relatively low number of serotonin transporters prior to treatment, and the number did not chan ge significantly following treatment.