Serotonin transporter availability in the midbrain and perceived social support in healthy volunteers

ObjectiveSerotonin modulates human behavior and emotion. Recent evidence implies that a higher level of serotonergic activity could be associated with a higher level of perceived social support. This study aimed to examine the correlation between serotonin transporter (SERT) availability and perceived social support scores in healthy volunteers.Methods111 healthy participants, 50 males and 61 females, were enrolled from the community and completed the Measurement of Support Function questionnaire. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with [123I] ADAM was performed to examine SERT availability.ResultsPerceived social support was positively correlated with SERT availability (Spearman's ρ = 0.29, p < 0.01; χ2 = 7.57, p < 0.01), particularly in males (Spearman's ρ = 0.37, p < 0 .01; χ2 = 11.77, p < 0.01). Censored regressions indicated that these associations are not influenced by a ceiling effect and remained significant after controlling the effect of age.ConclusionsThis result confirmed the correlation between perceived social support and central serotonergic activity. However, this correlation was present only in males.