PLATELET STUDIES IN PANIC DISORDER - A REVIEW

Objective: The blood platelet has been proposed as a model of central neurons and may therefore be used as a peripheral marker of psychiatri c illness. One method of investigating serotonin function in panic dis order has relied on the use of the platelet as a model of serotonergic neurons. This article reviews the studies of platelet function in pan ic disorder. Method: A literature search and review of relevant papers was undertaken. Result: Studies examining platelet serotonin uptake a nd concentration in panic disorder patients have to date yielded confl icting results, with some investigators reporting increased serotonin uptake, others reduced uptake. Similarly studies of platelet H-3-imipr amine binding have also yielded conflicting results. Two studies of pl atelet H-3-paroxetine binding have shown a reduction in the density of binding sites (max) in patients with panic disorder. platelet monoami ne oxidase activity in anxiety disorders has been reported to be incre ased by some investigators but decreased by others. Methodological con siderations may have been responsible for these differences. Finally, studies of alpha(2) adrenoceptor density have also produced contrastin g findings. Conclusion: The findings of these studies indicate that pl atelet function is altered in panic disorder. Such changes may allow a n insight into the biochemical aetiology of the illness. Further studi es are required to delineate the role of serotonin and non-adrenaline in panic disorder.