Abstract
This research was performed to find out the changes of serotonin receptors in the platelet of alcoholics. Using $_{125}I-LSD$ as a radioligand. We obtained the following results. 1) In the comparison of patients vs controls, $B_{max}$ of the former was significantly higher than that of the latter(P=0.0017). But there was no significant difference in the Kd between the two groups. 2) In the comparison of type 1 vs type 2, alcoholics by cloninger's classification $B_{max}$ of the latter was significantly higher than that of the farmer(P=0.0396). But there was no significant difference in the Kd between the two groups. 3) In the comparison of alcohol abuse vs alcohol dependence, there were no significant differences in the value of $B_{max}$ and Kd between the two groups. These results support the hypothesis of serotonin-deficit in alcoholism. Furthermore, it can be inferred that the increase of platelet serotonin receptors in alcoholics might be used as a trait marker.
본 연구는 알코올사용장애 환자의 혈소판막에 있는 serotonin수용체가 대조군과 비교했을 때 어떤 차이가 있는지 알아보기 위해 시행되었다. $_{125}I-LSD$를 radioligand로 사용하여 포화반응을 해 봄으로서 다음의 결과를 얻었다. 1) 환자군과 대조군간은 $B_{max}$에 있어서만 유의한 차이를 보였다(P<0.0017). 2) Type 1군과 type 2군 사이 역시 $B_{max}$에 있어서만 유의한 차이를 보였다(P<0.0396). 3) 알코올남용군과 알코올의존군 사이의 $B_{max}$와 $K_d$는 모두 유의한 차이가 없었다. 위 결과들은 알코올사용장애의 serotonin 결핍가설을 지지해주며 혈소판의 serotonin 수용체 수의 증가가 알코올사용장애의 trait marker가 될 수 있음을 시사해 준다.