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Pharmacopsychiatry 2002; 35(6): 226-230
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-36388
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Allelic Variants of the Serotonin2C Receptor and Neuroendocrinological Responses to the Serotonin2C Receptor Agonist m-Chlorophenylpiperazine in Healthy Male Volunteers

K.-U. Kühn1 , B. B. Quednow1 , M. Bagli1 , K. Meyer1 , A. Feuchtl1 , J. Westheide1 , C. Frahnert1 , W. Maier1 , M. L. Rao1
  • 1University of Bonn, Department of Psychiatry, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 27. 8. 2001 Revised: 25. 2. 2002

Accepted: 8. 3. 2002

Publication Date:
20 December 2002 (online)

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The neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) possesses several receptors and their subtypes, some of which are polymorphic, such as the 5-HT2C receptor. The latter has been implicated in the control of neuroendocrine function, and has been discussed in the pathophysiology and pharmacotherapy of psychiatric disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder and bipolar affective disorder.

To investigate whether the 5-HT2C receptor polymorphism contributes to the variation of neuroendocrinological responses elicited by activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, we performed an m-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) challenge and monitored m-CPP and ACTH, cortisol and prolactin plasma levels in 16 healthy male volunteers carrying the common 5-HT2C-cys-23 receptor gene and 16 healthy male volunteers carrying the less frequent 5-HT2C-ser-23 receptor gene.

The 5-HT2C polymorphism contributed little to the variation of the scores regarding hormonal responses of ACTH, cortisol and prolactin to the m-CPP challenge. The group carrying the rare 5-HT2C-ser-23 receptor gene showed a faster and stronger but not statistically significant ACTH response to the challenge. However, it is noteworthy that there is a ‘medium’ effect size of the ACTH response according to the conventions of Cohen, and thus comparable to other studies. Both groups show similar major scores in the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI).

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Dr. Kai-Uwe Kühn

Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie

Sigmund-Freud-Straße 25

53105 Bonn

Germany

Phone: +49 (228) 287-5681

Fax: +49 (228) 287-6949

Email: k.u.kuehn@uni-bonn.de

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