alpha-synuclein and Feeding-and-Eating-Disorders

Alpha-synuclein (alpha-Syn) is a neuronal protein involved in the regulation of brain serotonin and dopamine levels. We analyzed the peripheral expression of alpha-Syn mRNA and Beck Depression Inventory scores in female patients suffering from anorexia nervosa (n = 18) or bulimia nervosa (n = 24). We found a significant positive association between alpha-Syn mRNA expression and the total scores of the Beck Depression Inventory (linear regression; R(2) = 0.20; p = 0.003). alpha-Syn may play a pathophysiological role in depressive symptoms associated with eating disorders. Further investigations in patients with depression as a sole diagnosis are needed to support its role in the pathogenesis of major depression.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; alpha-Synuclein; Body Mass Index; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Female; Humans; Predictive Value of Tests; Psychological Tests; RNA, Messenger; Severity of Illness Index; Young Adult