2014
Brain serotonin synthesis in MDMA (ecstasy) polydrug users: an alpha‐[11C]methyl‐l‐tryptophan study
Booij L, Soucy J, Young S, Regoli M, Gravel P, Diksic M, Leyton M, Pihl R, Benkelfat C. Brain serotonin synthesis in MDMA (ecstasy) polydrug users: an alpha‐[11C]methyl‐l‐tryptophan study. Journal Of Neurochemistry 2014, 131: 634-644. PMID: 25041501, DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12826.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMDMA polydrug usersMDMA usePolydrug usersLong-term neurotoxic effectsBrain serotonin synthesisSerotonin synthesis capacityDistal brain regionsNeurotoxicity of MDMAPositron emission tomographySynthesis capacityTracer alphaSerotonin synthesisNeurotoxic effectsPre-frontal regionsTemporal areaBrain regionsEmission tomographyCompensatory mechanismsTryptophan studiesParietal regionsMethylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) useLonger durationBrainstemMDMA users
2012
Perinatal effects on in vivo measures of human brain serotonin synthesis in adulthood: A 27-year longitudinal study
Booij L, Benkelfat C, Leyton M, Vitaro F, Gravel P, Lévesque M, Arseneault L, Diksic M, Tremblay R. Perinatal effects on in vivo measures of human brain serotonin synthesis in adulthood: A 27-year longitudinal study. European Neuropsychopharmacology 2012, 22: 419-423. PMID: 22257439, DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2011.11.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMedial orbitofrontal cortexOrbitofrontal cortexSerotonin neurotransmissionPerinatal adversityPositron emission tomography scanEarly postnatal stressorsLow birth weightEmission tomography scanBrain serotonin neurotransmissionBrain serotonin synthesisSerotonin synthesis capacityStudies reporting associationLongitudinal studyMental health problemsEffects of childhoodLife-long impactTracer alphaMaternal smokingPerinatal effectsBirth complicationsBirth weightRisk factorsTomography scanSerotonin pathwaySerotonin synthesis
2011
Tryptophan hydroxylase2 gene polymorphisms predict brain serotonin synthesis in the orbitofrontal cortex in humans
Booij L, Turecki G, Leyton M, Gravel P, Lopez De Lara C, Diksic M, Benkelfat C. Tryptophan hydroxylase2 gene polymorphisms predict brain serotonin synthesis in the orbitofrontal cortex in humans. Molecular Psychiatry 2011, 17: 809-817. PMID: 21747395, DOI: 10.1038/mp.2011.79.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPositron emission tomographySerotonin synthesisTryptophan hydroxylase 2Orbitofrontal cortexRate-limiting enzymeSingle nucleotide polymorphismsL-tryptophan trappingRegional serotonin synthesisBrain serotonin synthesisTPH2 single nucleotide polymorphismsDose-effect relationshipBrain clearanceHealthy controlsGene polymorphismsAggressive behavioral phenotypeEmission tomographyHydroxylase 2TPH2 geneGenetic factorsCortexBehavioral phenotypesPolymorphismPatientsHumansLarge sample
2010
Brain Serotonin Synthesis in Adult Males Characterized by Physical Aggression during Childhood: A 21-Year Longitudinal Study
Booij L, Tremblay R, Leyton M, Séguin J, Vitaro F, Gravel P, Perreau-Linck E, Lévesque M, Durand F, Diksic M, Turecki G, Benkelfat C. Brain Serotonin Synthesis in Adult Males Characterized by Physical Aggression during Childhood: A 21-Year Longitudinal Study. PLOS ONE 2010, 5: e11255. PMID: 20582306, PMCID: PMC2889822, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0011255.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPhysical aggressionLongitudinal studyHigher physical aggressionLow serotonin neurotransmissionImpulsive aggressive behaviorSubstance abuse disordersEmotional intelligenceComputerized measuresVulnerability traitsVulnerability factorsOrbitofrontal cortexEnvironmental supportGroup differencesAggressionAbuse disordersAggressive behaviorTracer alphaMultiple indicesPlasma tryptophan levelsBrain serotonin synthesisLow trappingPositron emission tomographyCurrent behaviorSerotonin neurotransmissionImpulsivity