Decreased high affinity 3H-imipramine binding in platelets of enuretic children and adolescents.

High affinity 3H-imipramine binding sites have been demonstrated in human brain and platelet membranes. It has been suggested that these binding sites selectively label serotonin transporter or uptake sites. Since imipramine has a beneficial effect in the treatment of nocturnal enuresis, the present study was carried out to investigate a possible association between alteration in 3H-imipramine binding parameters in enuretics in comparison to nonenuretic control subjects. 3H-Imipramine binding to platelets was examined in 16 enuretic children and adolescents and compared to that in 22 healthy subjects of similar ages. A significant reduction was observed in the number of 3H-imipramine binding sites, while the dissociation constants (Kd) did not differ significantly in the platelets of enuretics as compared to controls. 3H-Imipramine binding values did not discriminate between familial and nonfamilial enuresis. These results may indicate that an alteration in the serotonin transporter in peripheral or central neuronal levels might be involved in the pathophysiology of nocturnal enuresis.