Abstract
Neurobiological evidence implicates the amygdala as well as serotonergic (serotonin, 5-HT) signaling via postsynaptic 5-HT2A receptors as essential substrates of anxiety behaviors. Assuming a functional interdependence of these substrates, we hypothesized that a low-fear behavioral phenotype due to bilateral lesion of the amygdala would be associated with significant 5-HT2A receptor changes. Thus, we used [18F]altanserin positron emission tomography (PET) referenced to radioligand plasma levels and corrected for partial volume effects to quantify the spatial distribution of 5-HT2A receptor binding potential (BPP) in a rare patient with Urbach-Wiethe disease and selective bilateral amygdala calcification damage relative to 10 healthy control subjects. Consistent with our a priori hypothesis, we observed a 70% global decrease in 5-HT2A receptor BPP in the Urbach-Wiethe patient relative to controls. Thus, brain abnormalities in this patient are not restricted to the amygdala, but extend to overall 5-HT neurotransmission via 5-HT2A receptors. Our findings provide important insights into the molecular architecture of human anxiety behaviors and suggest the 5-HT2A receptor as a promising pharmacological target to control pathological anxiety.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 79-84 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Social cognitive and affective neuroscience |
Volume | 4 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2009 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- 5-HT receptor
- Amygdala
- Anxiety
- Fear
- PET
- Serotonin
- Urbach-Wiethe disease
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience