Cortical serotonin 5-HT2A receptor binding and social communication in adults with Asperger's syndrome: An in vivo SPECT study

TY - JOUR

T1 - Cortical serotonin 5-HT2A receptor binding and social communication in adults with Asperger's syndrome: An in vivo SPECT study

AU - Murphy, D G M

AU - Daly, E

AU - Schmitz, N

AU - Toal, F

AU - Murphy, K

AU - Curran, S

AU - Erlandsson, K

AU - Eersels, J

AU - Kerwin, R

AU - Ell, P

AU - Travis, M

PY - 2006/5

Y1 - 2006/5

N2 - Objective: The cause of autistic spectrum disorder (i.e., autism and Asperger's syndrome) is unknown. The serotonergic (5-HT) system may be especially implicated. However, cortical 5-HT2A receptor density in adults with the disorder has not been examined, to the authors' knowledge. Method: The authors investigated cortical 5-HT2A receptor binding in eight adults with Asperger's syndrome and in 10 healthy comparison subjects with single photon emission computed tomography and the selective 5-HT2A receptor ligand 123I iodinated 4-amino-N-[1-[3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl]-4-methyl- 4-piperidinyl]-5-iodo-2-methoxybenzamide (I-123-5-I-R91150). Results: People with Asperger's syndrome had a significant reduction in cortical 5-HT2A receptor binding in the total, anterior, and posterior cingulate; bilaterally in the frontal and superior temporal lobes; and in the left parietal lobe. Also, reduced receptor binding was significantly related to abnormal social communication. Conclusions: The authors' findings suggest that adults with Asperger's syndrome have abnormalities in cortical 5-HT2A receptor density and that this deficit may underlie some clinical symptoms

AB - Objective: The cause of autistic spectrum disorder (i.e., autism and Asperger's syndrome) is unknown. The serotonergic (5-HT) system may be especially implicated. However, cortical 5-HT2A receptor density in adults with the disorder has not been examined, to the authors' knowledge. Method: The authors investigated cortical 5-HT2A receptor binding in eight adults with Asperger's syndrome and in 10 healthy comparison subjects with single photon emission computed tomography and the selective 5-HT2A receptor ligand 123I iodinated 4-amino-N-[1-[3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl]-4-methyl- 4-piperidinyl]-5-iodo-2-methoxybenzamide (I-123-5-I-R91150). Results: People with Asperger's syndrome had a significant reduction in cortical 5-HT2A receptor binding in the total, anterior, and posterior cingulate; bilaterally in the frontal and superior temporal lobes; and in the left parietal lobe. Also, reduced receptor binding was significantly related to abnormal social communication. Conclusions: The authors' findings suggest that adults with Asperger's syndrome have abnormalities in cortical 5-HT2A receptor density and that this deficit may underlie some clinical symptoms

U2 - 10.1176/appi.ajp.163.5.934

DO - 10.1176/appi.ajp.163.5.934

M3 - Article

SN - 1535-7228

VL - 163

SP - 934

EP - 936

JO - The American Journal of Psychiatry

JF - The American Journal of Psychiatry

IS - 5

ER -