Increased occipital cortex GABA concentrations in depressed patients after therapy with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
OBJECTIVE
Studies have demonstrated low concentrations of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the plasma and CSF of individuals with major depression, and low GABA concentrations have also been found in the occipital cortex of depressed subjects. The goal of this study was to determine whether these occipital cortex GABA concentrations are altered after administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in the treatment of depression.


METHODS
By means of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, occipital cortex GABA concentrations were measured in 11 medication-free depressed patients before initiation of treatment with SSRI medications and after an average of 2 months of treatment.


RESULTS
A significant increase in occipital cortex GABA concentrations was seen after SSRI treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
SSRI treatment of major depression is associated with increased occipital cortex GABA concentrations. This appears to result in a normalization of low pretreatment GABA concentrations, an effect that may contribute to a common mechanism of antidepressant action.
Sanacora
Gerard
G
Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA. gerard.sanacora@yale.edu
Mason
Graeme F
GF
Rothman
Douglas L
DL
Krystal
John H
JH
D000328:Adult; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009778:Occipital Lobe / Q000187:drug effects*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*
D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid