Rationale: There have been few studies of platelet paroxetine binding in borderline personality disorder (BPD).
Objective: Our aim was to determine whether female BPD subjects show abnormalities in platelet paroxetine binding.
Methods: Twenty-one female BPD subjects and 16 age- and gender-matched normal control subjects were assessed using the following: (1) Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines, Revised, (2) Diagnostic Assessment for Personality Pathology: Brief Questionnaire, and (3) Barratt Impulsivity Scale. Platelets were collected and assayed for platelet paroxetine binding.
Results: Bmax was lower in the BPD group (p < 0.0001), but differences in Kd only reached a trend level. There were no associations with trait dimensions independent of diagnosis.
Conclusions: Reduced platelet paroxetine binding in female BPD patients may reflect presynaptic serotonin dysfunction.