PLATELET PAROXETINE BINDING IN POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER

Sixty-two subjects, 45 with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and 17 healthy control subjects, were examined in a study of serotonin fun ction measured by [H-3]paroxetine binding to platelet membranes. Subje cts were selected from male combat exposed veterans. The mean (+/-S.D. ) K-d was 0.078+/-0.045 nM for the PTSD patient group and 0.064+/-0.03 7 nM for the control group. The mean B-max was 934+/-238 fmol/mg prote in for the PTSD patient group and 1011+/-363 fmol/mg protein for the c ontrol group. There was no significant difference between the groups f or either K-d or B-max, before or after controlling for season of samp ling. There were no significant differences between subjects with curr ent PTSD and those with PTSD in the past, or between PTSD subjects wit h or without concurrent major depressive disorder. This study finds no relationship between PTSD, major depressive disorder and peripheral s erotonin function measured by [H-3]paroxetine binding to blood platele ts. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.