Women with multiple chemical sensitivity have increased harm avoidance and reduced 5-HT(1A) receptor binding potential in the anterior cingulate and amygdala

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a common condition, characterized by somatic distress upon exposure to odors. As in other idiopathic environmental intolerances, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Contrary to the expectations it was recently found that persons with MCS activate the odor-pr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PloS one 2013, Vol.8 (1), p.e54781
Main Authors: Hillert, Lena, Jovanovic, Hristina, Åhs, Fredrik, Savic, Ivanka
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Amygdala - physiopathology
Anxiety - diagnostic imaging
Anxiety - physiopathology
Brain Mapping
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Gyrus Cinguli - metabolism
Gyrus Cinguli - physiopathology
Humans
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity - metabolism
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity - physiopathology
Odorants
Piperazines
Protein Binding
Pyridines
Radiography
Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A - metabolism
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Summary:Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a common condition, characterized by somatic distress upon exposure to odors. As in other idiopathic environmental intolerances, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Contrary to the expectations it was recently found that persons with MCS activate the odor-processing brain regions less than controls, while their activation of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is increased. The present follow-up study was designed to test the hypotheses that MCS subjects have increased harm avoidance and deviations in the serotonin system, which could render them intolerant to environmental odors. Twelve MCS and 11 control subjects, age 22-44, all working or studying females, were included in a PET study where 5-HT(1A) receptor binding potential (BP) was assessed after bolus injection of [(11)C]WAY100635. Psychological profiles were assessed by the Temperament and Character Inventory and the Swedish universities Scales of Personality. All MCS and 12 control subjects were also tested for emotional startle modulation in an acoustic startle test. MCS subjects exhibited significantly increased harm avoidance, and anxiety compared to controls. They also had a reduced 5-HT(1A) receptor BP in amygdala (p = 0.029), ACC (p = 0.005) (planned comparisons, significance level 0.05), and insular cortex (p = 0.003; significance level p
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0054781