Brody AL, Olmstead RE, Abrams AL, Costello MR, Khan A, Kozman D, Saxena S, Farahi J, London ED, Mandelkern MA. Effect of a history of major depressive disorder on smoking-induced dopamine release.
Biol Psychiatry 2009;
66:898-901. [PMID:
19640507 PMCID:
PMC2763050 DOI:
10.1016/j.biopsych.2009.06.011]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2009] [Revised: 05/30/2009] [Accepted: 06/10/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Dopamine (DA) system dysfunction is implicated in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). We sought to determine if cigarette smokers with a history of MDD and current mild depressive symptoms have abnormal smoking-induced DA release (measured indirectly as change in (11)C-raclopride binding potential [BP(ND)]).
METHODS
Fifty-six cigarette smokers either with (n = 10) or without (n = 46) a history of MDD (MDD+ and MDD-, respectively) underwent bolus-plus-continuous-infusion (11)C-raclopride positron emission tomography, during which they smoked a regular cigarette. Presmoking to postsmoking changes in (11)C-raclopride BP(ND) were compared between groups. Also, correlations were determined between change in BP(ND) and depression, anxiety, and withdrawal rating scale scores for the MDD+ group.
RESULTS
The MDD+ group had a significantly greater reduction in (11)C-raclopride BP(ND) (-16.3%) than the MDD- group (-8.4%) (analysis of covariance [ANCOVA], p = .03). Significant negative correlations were found between depression/anxiety and change in (11)C-raclopride BP(ND) (r = -.77, p < .01 and r = -.74, p = .01, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
MDD+ smokers have greater smoking-induced DA release than MDD- smokers, and higher depression/anxiety levels are associated with greater smoking-induced DA release. These findings support the theory that MDD+ smokers have DA system dysfunction, including heightened smoking-induced DA release.
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