Cortical Serotonin 1A Receptor Levels Are Associated with Depression in Patients with Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Parkinson's Disease Dementia

Background: Serotonin 1A receptors (5-HT1A) have not been studied in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) or Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) patients with depression. Aim: To examine 5-HT1A in DLB and PDD postmortem in relation to depression. Methods: [H-3]8-hydroxy-2-dipropylaminotetralin binding to 5-HT1A was determined in temporal cortex (Brodmann areas, BA20 and BA36) from 10 DLB patients, 17 PDD patients and 9 controls. Results: 5-HT1A density was significantly higher in BA36 in combined DLB/PDD patients with depression, but was unaltered in BA20. Conclusion: Higher BA36 5-HT1A density in PDD and DLB patients than in control is dependent on whether the patient had experienced depression during life, not DLB/PDD diagnosis. A 5-HT1A antagonist adjuvant may improve treatment of depression in dementia. Copyright (C) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel