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The cerebrospinal fluid substance P, neuropeptide Y, serotonin and noradrenaline in patients with major depressive disorder

2005; Linguagem: Inglês

1006-7884

Chen Zuo-ming,

Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology

Objective To explore the pathophysiological mechanisms in major depressive disorder (MDD).Methods Forty patients with MDD and 40 controls were recruited in the study. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of substance P (SP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and noradrenaline (NE) were determined with the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.Results The concentrations of SP were significantly higher in the patients than in controls [(18±24) ng/L vs. (9±13) ng/L, P=0.010] and NE [(92±88) ng/L vs. (51±35) ng/L, P=0.009]. The 5-HT concentration was lower in female patients than in male ones [(0.59±0.13) μg/L vs. (0.82±0.32) μg/L, P=0.014]. The 5-HT and NE levels in patients with suicidal attempt were significantly lower than in those without. The NPY concentration in the patients with recurrent depression was higher than that in ones with first-episode depression (P=0.026).Conclusion The results suggest the dysfunction of several neurotransmitter systems be involved in MDD.