guanosine-triphosphate and Depressive-Disorder

The amounts of various G protein subunits in postmortem brain samples from the parietal and temporal cortices were the same in controls and depressive patients as demonstrated by immunoblotting. However, photoaffinity GTP labeling (AAGTP) of Gi/o alpha, but not Gs alpha, was significantly increased in depressives in both cortex regions. Furthermore, the ratio of Gs/Gi/o AAGTP incorporation revealed a significant reduction in depressives in these regions. The present findings suggest that an imbalance of second messengers via G protein function may be involved in the pathophysiology of depression.

Topics: Affinity Labels; Aged; Azides; Brain Chemistry; Cyclic AMP; Depressive Disorder; Female; GTP-Binding Proteins; Guanosine Triphosphate; Humans; Male; Parietal Lobe; Protein Binding; Second Messenger Systems; Temporal Lobe

Lymphocyte beta adrenergic receptor binding using [125I]CNP was determined in patients with panic disorder (N = 4) or agoraphobia with panic attacks (N = 17) and age- and sex-matched healthy subjects (N = 22). The patients showed a significantly lower number of beta-adrenergic receptor binding sites and a significantly higher affinity of binding than healthy subjects. A past or present history of major depression in the patients did not alter these findings. These results are consistent with a growing body of knowledge implicating noradrenergic dysfunction in the pathophysiology of panic anxiety.

Topics: Adrenergic beta-Agonists; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Adult; Agoraphobia; Depressive Disorder; Fear; Female; Guanosine Triphosphate; Humans; Iodine Radioisotopes; Iodocyanopindolol; Kinetics; Lymphocytes; Male; Middle Aged; Panic; Phobic Disorders; Pindolol; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta