Memory dysfunction in Major Depressive Disorder patients linked to lower Serotonin 4 Receptor Brain Binding: JAMA
Denmark: An original investigation published in JAMA Psychiatry has answered a key point of serotonin 4 (5-HT4) receptor alteration in depression and its association with memory dysfunction. The researchers concluded that this receptor is a potential treatment target for managing major depressive disorder and improving cognitive symptoms.
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
