Retest reliability of prolactin response to dl-fenfluramine challenge in adults

Neuropsychopharmacology. 2002 Feb;26(2):269-72. doi: 10.1016/S0893-133X(01)00330-X.

Abstract

Neuropharmacologic probes to assess central nervous system (CNS) serotonergic responsivity (e.g., dl-fenfluramine) stimulate serotonergic neurotransmission, thereby causing proportional release of pituitary-derived hormones into the circulation. Individual differences in these hormonal responses are thus thought to reflect dimensional variability in central serotonergic activity, which may, in turn, underlie variation in serotonin-related traits of personality (e.g., impulsivity, behavioral inhibition, harm avoidance). However, the long-term temporal stability of neuropharmacologic indices of CNS serotonergic responsivity has not previously been tested in nonpsychiatric patients. dl-Fenfluramine was administered here to 57 adults, aged 24-60 years, on two occasions 6 months apart, to examine the retest reliability of fenfluramine-induced prolactin [PRL] response to fenfluramine. Baseline PRL concentration (i.e., before administration of fenfluramine) was highly stable over the 6 months (r = 0.88). Variability in serotonergic responsivity, adjusted for baseline PRL concentration, age, sex, and drug concentration during the challenge, was moderately reproducible (r = 0.50 for peak DeltaPRL and 0.57 for PRL "area under the curve," p <.0001). These findings are consistent with speculation that variability in indices of central serotonergic function reflects a temporally stable dimension of individual differences.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Area Under Curve
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Female
  • Fenfluramine / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prolactin / biosynthesis*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Fenfluramine
  • Prolactin