PLATELET SEROTONIN TRANSPORTER DEPRESSED CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS - H-3-PAROXETINE PLATELET BINDING BEFORE AND AFTER SERTRALINE

Objective: To evaluate serotonin transporter protein (5HTPR) binding i n platelets from children and adolescents with major depression (MDD) compared to normal controls using the selective ligand H-3-paroxetine. Method: Children and adolescents with MDD (n = 24) defined by DSM-III -R criteria and normal controls (n = 22) were compared by platelet 5HT PR kinetic analysis with the hypothesis that 5HTPR is reduced in MDD. A subset of MDD subjects (n = 18) continued to participate in a fixed- dose, open-label sertraline trial for 6 weeks followed by drug-free wa shout and repeated 5HTPR analysis. Results: Sex, prepubertal status, a nd age had no effect on 5HTPR. Medication-free MDD subjects differed f rom controls in reduced binding capacity (B-max) (p <.001). Sertraline therapy decreased binding affinity from baseline nonselectively (p <. 05), and B-max elevation from baseline was associated with nonresponse and suicide attempt history. Conclusion: Earlier literature in this p opulation is replicated with regard to reduced platelet 5HTPR B,, in M DD. Findings support a continuum of 5HTPR involvement in MDD across th e developmental spectrum.