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Reduced brain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine: 5-HT) transporter activity has been associated with susceptibility to various forms of psychopathology, including bulimia nervosa (BN) and related syndromes characterized by appetitive or behavioural dysregulation. We applied density (Bmax) of platelet [3H-]paroxetine binding as a proxy for central 5-HT reuptake activity in two groups of women (33 with BN-spectrum disorders and 19 with no apparent eating or psychiatric disorders), most of these individuals' mothers (31 and 18, respectively), and a small sampling of their sisters (seven and eight, respectively). Hierarchical linear modeling techniques were used to account for nesting of individuals within families and diagnostic groupings. Bulimic probands, their mothers, and their sisters all displayed significantly lower density (Bmax) of platelet-paroxetine binding than did ‘control’ probands, mothers, or sisters—even when relatives showing apparent eating or psychiatric disturbances were excluded. In addition, in bulimic probands and mothers, significant within-family correlations were obtained on Bmax. These findings imply a heritable trait (or endophenotype), linked to 5-HT activity, and carried by BN sufferers and their first-degree relatives (even when asymptomatic). We propose that, under conducive circumstances, such a trait may increase risk of binge-eating behavior, or associated symptoms of affective or behavioral dysregulation.Neuropsychopharmacology (2006) 31, 1785–1792. doi:10.1038/sj.npp.1301011; published online 11 January 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Findings show brain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)) activity to be altered in individuals who have had bulimia nervosa (BN), even after substantial remission of symptoms. Such findings could reflect persistent sequelae due to BN, or a vulnerability 'trait' that exists independently of active eating-disorder manifestations. We compared women with full-blown BN (BN; n = 22), BN in remission (BN-R; n = 11), and no eating or psychiatric disturbances (n = 22) on measures of platelet [³H]paroxetine binding, eating symptoms and psychopathology. The BN-R group showed normal-range scores on eating and psychopathological symptoms, but reductions in density (Bmax) of binding sites for paroxetine similar to those obtained in the actively ill women. Both BN groups had substantially lower Bmax than did healthy controls. Our results corroborate other findings indicating recovered BN patients to have anomalous 5-HT functioning. While such effects could represent a lasting 'injury' to the system, reported covariations between personality traits and 5-HT indices in BN encourage us to favor the argument that some alterations of 5-HT activity (in this case, consistent with reduced transporter activity) represent a 'trait' associated with the risk of developing BN and/or associated psychopathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]