n-n-dimethyl-2-(2-amino-4-methylphenylthio)benzylamine and Depressive-Disorder--Major

The aim of the present clinical positron emission tomography study was to examine if the 5-HTT is a common target, both for tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Serotonin transporter (5-HTT) occupancy was estimated during treatment with TCA, SSRI and mirtazapine in 20 patients in remission from depression. The patients were recruited from out-patient units and deemed as responders to antidepressive treatment. The radioligand [¹¹C]MADAM was used to determine the 5-HTT binding potential. The mean 5-HTT occupancy was 67% (range 28-86%). There was no significant difference in 5-HTT occupancy between TCA (n=5) and SSRI (n=14). 5-HTT affinity correlated with the recommended clinical dose. Mirtazapine did not occupy the serotonin transporter. The results support that TCAs and SSRIs have a shared mechanism of action by inhibition of 5-HTT.

Topics: Adult; Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; Benzylamines; Carbon Radioisotopes; Depressive Disorder, Major; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Positron-Emission Tomography; Protein Binding; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; Young Adult