Serotonin and negative symptoms
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Neurobiology of Negative Symptoms: an imaging study
IRAS ID
276423
Contact name
Oliver Howes
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Negative symptoms represent the absence or diminution of normal drives and experiences. They include reduced motivation, reduced social engagement, reduced enjoyment of activities, and deficits in verbal and facial expressivity and responsivity. These symptoms have long been regarded as core features of schizophrenia, however they also occur in the general population, across the schizophrenia spectrum, in depression, and in Parkinson’s disease. They are a major cause of morbidity in these disorders, and are linked to poorer outcomes in important patient centered outcomes such as quality of life, family functioning, social functioning, occupational function and recreational function. There is also an increased burden on healthcare systems from negative symptoms. Despite this, there are no currently licensed treatment and the underlying neurobiological cause is unclear. As such, negative symptoms are recognised as a great unmet need.
Several lines of evidence indicate a role for serotonin as a key component in causing negative symptoms. Whilst previous studies have provided indirect evidence of the role of serotonin in negative symptoms, this has not been reliably investigated in humans. This study will address this by investigating the role of serotonin in negative symptoms. Using a case-control study design, we aim to determine the association between serotonin receptor availability, serotonin release and negative symptoms in disorders associated with negative symptoms.
We will use MRI and PET imaging to measure serotonin receptor availability, serotonin release, and cerebral blood flow in response to emotional stimuli. To stimulate serotonin release, we will administer a single dose of dexamphetamine. The change in serotonin receptor availability between the pre-dexamphetamine PET scan and the post dexamphetamine PET scan will provide a measure of serotonin release.
This study will aid in our understanding of the neurobiology of complex illnesses such as schizophrenia, and aid in the development of treatments for these disorders.REC name
Wales REC 4
REC reference
20/WA/0165
Date of REC Opinion
1 Jul 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion