J. Lavalaye et al., Dopamine transporter density in young patients with schizophrenia assessedwith [(123)] FP-CIT SPECT, SCHIZOPHR R, 47(1), 2001, pp. 59-67
Disturbances in the dopamine (DA) system are thought to play a major role i
n schizophrenia. Amphetamine-induced release of endogenous DA is shown to b
e enhanced in schizophrenia, as is striatal [F-18]FDOPA uptake in the stria
tum. It is not clear if the density of DA neurons is altered in schizophren
ia. By studying the DA transporter with [I-123]FP-CIT single photon emissio
n computed tomography (SPECT), the density of nigrostriatal dopaminergic ce
lls can be studied.
Using [I-123]FP-CIT SPECT, DA transporter density in the striatum was studi
ed in 36 young patients with schizophrenia, Ten patients were antipsychotic
(AP)-naive, 15 were treated with olanzapine. eight with risperidone and th
ree were AP-free. A control group of 10 age-matched volunteers was included
.
Striatal [I-123]FP-CIT binding was not significantly different between AP-n
aive patients (2.87), patients treated with olanzapine (2.76). patients tre
ated with risperidone (2.76). AP-free patients (7.68) and controls (2.82) (
F=0.07. p=0.98). Unexpectedly, striatal [I-123]FP-CIT binding in females wa
s significantly higher than in males (3.29 and 2.70, respectively; t = -2.5
6, p = 0.014).
Concluding, functional changes in the dopaminergic system in schizophrenia
are not likely to be reflected in a change in DA transporter density. Moreo
ver. DA transporter density does not seem to be altered by AP medication. (
C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.