Benzodiazepine receptor density in major depression

Thirteen drug-naive outpatients with major depression and seven healthy con trols were investigated using single-photon emission computerized tomograph y (SPECT) with I-123-labeled iomazenil. Depression was diagnosed in accorda nce with the criteria of the DSM-III-R, and the severity of depression was evaluated using the 21-item Hamilton depression rating scale. Patients had significantly lower benzodiazepine receptor density in the both cerebral he mispheres and, especially, in the left temporal cortex than did the control s. Significant negative correlations were observed between psychic anxiety in patients and the benzodiazepine receptor density in the left (r = -0.73) and right (r = -0.74) temporal cortex. The results suggest that benzodiaze pine receptor density is associated with anxiety symptoms among depressed p atients.