Neuropeptide Y in frontal cortex is not altered in major depression.
Previously, we reported a modest but significant reduction in the concentration of neuropeptide Y in frontal cortices from victims of suicide relative to age-matched natural or accidental death control subjects. The reduction in neuropeptide Y appeared to be greatest in a subgroup of victims of suicide for which there was indirect evidence of histories of depression. We pursued these initial findings in the present study by measuring neuropeptide Y concentrations in frontal cortices from natural or accidental death control subjects and from suicide victims in whom a firm diagnosis of major depression was established by psychiatric autopsy. Because several subjects with major depression had a comorbid diagnosis of alcoholism, a group of victims of suicide that had an Axis I diagnosis of alcohol dependence was also studied. No significant differences in neuropeptide Y concentrations were observed between control subjects and victims of suicide with major depression or victims of suicide with alcohol dependence. These findings do not support a role for neuropeptide Y in major depression.
Ordway
G A
GA
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA.
Stockmeier
C A
CA
Meltzer
H Y
HY
Overholser
J C
JC
Jaconetta
S
S
Widdowson
P S
PS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000378:metabolism; D003863:Depression / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000378:metabolism*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012016:Reference Values
D009478:Neuropeptide Y