Memory dysfunction in Major Depressive Disorder patients linked to lower Serotonin 4 Receptor Brain Binding: JAMA

5-HT4 receptor is a target for major depressive disorder (MDD), and its pharmacological stimulation can improve learning and memory in healthy individuals.

The researchers measured the association between 5-HT4 receptor binding and verbal memory performance while Other cognitive domains were secondary outcomes.

The study points are:

• The data was used from the NeuroPharm clinical depression trial in Denmark.
• There were untreated MDD patients and healthy controls included in the study.
• To quantify receptor binding, positron emission tomography (PET) scanning was completed with [11C]SB207145.
• Data were analysed from January 21, 2020, to April 22, 2022.
• The group difference in receptor binding between patients and healthy controls was the main outcome measured in the study.
• 90 MDD patients with a mean age of 27.1 years, including 64 women and 91 healthy controls, including 55 women, were included in the analysis.
• MDD patients (current) had lower cerebral 5-HT4 receptor binding. (−7.0%).
• There was a correlation between cerebral 5-HT4 receptor binding and verbal memory in MDD patients.

To conclude, cerebral 5-HT4 receptor binding was lower in MDD patients.

Memory dysfunction in MDD patients was associated with lower cerebral 5-HT4 receptor binding.

Further reading:

Köhler-Forsberg K, Dam VH, Ozenne B, et al. Serotonin 4 Receptor Brain Binding in Major Depressive Disorder and Association With Memory Dysfunction. JAMA Psychiatry. Published online February 08, 2023.doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.4539