Low plasma γ-aminobutyric acid levels in male patients with depression

doi:10.1016/0006-3223(92)90039-3

Biological Psychiatry

Volume 32, Issue 4, 15 August 1992, Pages 354-363

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-3223(92)90039-3 Get rights and content

Abstract

Plasma levels of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were significantly lower in males with primary unipolar major depressive disorder than in healthy controls. Although the difference in means between control and symptomatic depressed patient groups was small, the distribution of plasma GABA in the depressed patients was markedly different from controls. Forty percent of depressed patients had plasma GABA levels below those of controls. Plasma GABA levels correlated positively with duration of illness, and negatively with age at onset of the mood disorder and the total Endogenomorphic Symptom Score on the Hamilton Rating Scale. Plasma GABA levels may be a biochemical marker of vulnerability to depression, as opposed to a consequence of the illness. A low GABA condition in depression fits and complements the prevailing biogenic amine hypotheses of depression.

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^☆: Supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs and a Department of Veterans Affairs Research Career Development Award to Frederick Petty, Ph.D., M.D. Also supported by NIMH Research Grant MH37899, NIAAA Research Grant AA07234, MHCRC Center Grant (MH41115), and the John Schemmerhorn Fund.

^∗∗: We thank Dinah Turner-Knight for excellent secretarial support in preparing the manuscript, Tery Phillips, David Dunnam, B.S., and Gayle Patterson, B.A. for technical assistance and Kenneth Z. Altshuler, M.D. Stanton Sharpe Professor and Chairman for administrative support.

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Low plasma γ-aminobutyric acid levels in male patients with depression☆

Abstract

Neurosci Lett

Brain Res

Brain Res

Psychiatry Res

Pharmacol Biochem Behav

Life Sci

Annal Biochem

Brain Res

Biol Psychiatry

Life Sci

Pharmacol Biochem Behav

Biochem Pharmacol

J Neurol Sci

J Affect Disorder

J Affect Disorder

Brain Res Bull

Neurosci

Neuropharmacology

J Affect Disorder

J Biol Chem

Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry

Genetic factors in affective illness

J Psychiatr Res

Reduced plasma and CSF γ-aminobutyric acid in affective illness: Effect of lithium carbonate

Biol Psychiatry

Plasma and CSF GABA in affective illness

Br J Psychiatry