Seasonal variation in D2/3 dopamine receptor availability in the human brain.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Brain functional and physiological plasticity is essential to combat dynamic environmental challenges. The rhythmic dopamine signaling pathway, which regulates emotion, reward and learning, shows seasonal patterns with higher capacity of dopamine synthesis and lower number of dopamine transporters during dark seasons. However, seasonal variation of the dopamine receptor signaling remains to be characterized.

Methods

Based on a historical database of healthy human brain [¹¹C]raclopride PET scans (n = 291, 224 males and 67 females), we investigated the seasonal patterns of D2/3 dopamine receptor signaling. Daylength at the time of scanning was used as a predictor for brain regional non-displaceable binding of the radiotracer, while controlling for age and se

SUBMITTER: Sun L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11369044 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature