Platelet Serotonin Transporter in Depressed Children and Adolescents: 3H-Paroxetine Platelet Binding Before and After Sertraline

Serotonin transporter protein (5HTPR) binding in platelets was studied in 24 children & adolescents with major depression (MDD) & compared with controls. 4 of the patients had attempted suicide at some point in their lives. The study found that binding capacity was significantly lower in unmedicated MDD patients. 18 of the MDD participants continued with sertraline therapy. After sertraline therapy, direction of change for binding capacity differed between responders & nonresponders. (38 refs.)