Reduced serotonin transporter binding in binge eating women

Rationale: There is evidence that abnormalities in brain dopamine, norepine phrine and serotonin metabolism may play an important role in binge eating. Serotonin-active antidepressant drugs have also been found to decrease bin ge eating. Objective: We investigated serotonin transporter binding in obes e binge-eating women. Eleven obese binge-eating and seven obese control wom en participated in the study. The subjects were not taking any medication k nown to affect serotonin (5-HT) transporters. Methods: We used single-photo n emission tomography (SPECT) with the radioligand I-123-labelled nor-beta -CIT, which specifically labels 5-HT transporters. Results: Obese binge-eat ing women showed significantly decreased 5-HT transporter binding in the mi d-brain compared with obese controls (2.1 +/-0.5 versus 2.9 +/-0.5, respect ively). Conclusions: SPECT imaging with a ligand specific for 5-HT transpor ters can be used to assess altered serotonin transporter binding in the liv ing human brain. The results tentatively suggest that 5-HT transporter bind ing is decreased in binge-eating women.