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 11C-raclopride binding potential [BPND]).
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
11C-raclopride positron emission tomography, during which they smoked a regular cigarette.
Presmoking to postsmoking changes in 11C-raclopride BPND were compared between groups. Also, correlations were determined between change in
BPND and depression, anxiety, and withdrawal rating scale scores for the MDD+ group.
Results
The MDD+ group had a significantly greater reduction in 11C-raclopride BPND (−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 11C-raclopride BPND (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.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 30, 2009
Accepted:
June 10,
2009
Received in revised form:
May 30,
2009
Received:
February 14,
2009
Identification
Copyright
Published by Elsevier Inc.
