Role of serotonin in the pathophysiology of depression: focus on the serotonin transporter

288–95.2 Fifteen years have elapsed since we published this article focusing on the serotonin transporter (SERT)3. Although developed as a review, this report ultimately included original data from a large study of drug-free depressed patients and controls showing that platelet [3H]imipramine binding, the ligand of choice for label-ing serotonin transporters, was significantly decreased in depression. We also showed data indicating that the decreased platelet [3H]imipramine binding was spe-cific for major depression. The high number of cita-tions, including numerous citations even in 2009, re-flects the ongoing importance of serotonin in depression. Since this report was published, remark-able advances have occurred in our understanding o