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Imaging of Seasonal Affective Disorder and Seasonality Effects on Serotonin and Dopamine Function in the Human Brain

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Brain Imaging in Behavioral Neuroscience

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences ((CTBN,volume 11))

Abstract

According to current knowledge, disturbances in brain monoamine transmission play a major role in many psychiatric disorders, and many of the radioligands used for investigating these disorders bind to targets within the brain monoamine systems. However, a phylogenetically ancient and prevailing function of monoamines is to mediate the adaptation of organisms and cells to rhythmical changes in light conditions, and to other environmental rhythms, such as changes in temperature, or the availability of energy resources throughout the seasons. The physiological systems mediating these changes are highly conserved throughout species, including humans. Here we review the literature on seasonal changes in binding of monoaminergic ligands in the human brain. Moreover, we argue for the importance of considering possible effects of season when investigating brain monoamines in healthy subjects and subjects with psychiatric disorders.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to thank Dr. Jan Kalbitzer for kindly providing Fig. 2 of this manuscript.

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  1. Department of Biological Psychiatry, Medical University Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria

    Nicole Praschak-Rieder & Matthaeus Willeit

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  1. Nicole Praschak-Rieder
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  2. Matthaeus Willeit
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Correspondence to Matthaeus Willeit .

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  1. , UC Davis Imaging Center, University of California at Davis, X Street 4701, Sacramento, 95817, California, USA

    Cameron S. Carter

  2. , Dep of Experimental Psychology/Dep of Ps, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, United Kingdom

    Jeffrey W. Dalley

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Praschak-Rieder, N., Willeit, M. (2011). Imaging of Seasonal Affective Disorder and Seasonality Effects on Serotonin and Dopamine Function in the Human Brain. In: Carter, C., Dalley, J. (eds) Brain Imaging in Behavioral Neuroscience. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, vol 11. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2011_174

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