Gene expression of GABA and glutamate pathway markers in the prefrontal cortex of non-suicidal elderly depressed patients.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is presumed to be involved in the pathogenesis of depression.

METHODS:

We determined the gene expression of 32 markers of the pathways of the two main neurotransmitters of the PFC, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and l-glutamic acid (glutamate), by real-time quantitative PCR in human postmortem anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and dorsolateral PFC (DLPFC) in elderly non-suicidal patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) or bipolar disorder (BD).

RESULTS:

We found the transcript levels of GABA(A) receptor beta 2 (GABRB2) and post-synaptic density-95 (PSD-95) to be significantly decreased in the ACC in mood disorder. DLPFC mRNA expression of all the detected genes in the mood disorder group did not differ significantly from that of the non-psychiatric controls.

LIMITATIONS:

Several inherent and potentially confounding factors of a postmortem study, such as medication and cause of death, did not seem to affect the conclusions. The group size was relatively small but well documented, both clinically and neuropathologically.

CONCLUSIONS:

The observed alterations in the GABAergic and glutamatergic pathways indicate a diminished activity. These alterations were only present in the ACC and not in the DLPFC.

• Authors: J Zhao, A-M Bao, X-R Qi, W Kamphuis, S Luchetti, J-S Lou, D F Swaab
• Journal: Journal of affective disorders (J Affect Disord) Vol. 138 Issue 3 Pg. 494-502 (May 2012) ISSN: 1573-2517 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 22357337 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Glutamic Acid
• gamma-Aminobutyric Acid

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Bipolar Disorder (genetics)
• Depressive Disorder, Major (genetics)
• Female
• Gene Expression
• Glutamic Acid (genetics)
• Humans
• Male
• Prefrontal Cortex (metabolism)
• Signal Transduction
• Suicidal Ideation
• gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (genetics)