Lower levels of nucleoside triphosphate in the basal ganglia of depressed subjects: a phosphorous-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the concentration of beta-nucleoside triphosphate is lower in the basal ganglia of depressed subjects.


METHODS
In vivo 31P magnetic resonance spectra were acquired from a 45-cm3 region surrounding the basal ganglia of 35 unmedicated depressed subjects and 18 comparison subjects.


RESULTS
beta-Nucleoside triphosphate, which arises primarily from beta-ATP, was 16% lower in the depressed subjects than in the comparison subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
The low level of beta-nucleoside triphosphate is consistent with an abnormality of high-energy phosphate metabolism in the basal ganglia of subjects with major depression.
Moore
C M
CM
Brain Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02178, USA.
Christensen
J D
JD
Lafer
B
B
Fava
M
M
Renshaw
P F
PF
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D009705:Nucleosides / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D010758:Phosphorus
D009705:Nucleosides; D010758:Phosphorus; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate