Fewer beta-endorphin expressing arcuate nucleus neurons and reduced beta-endorphinergic innervation of paraventricular neurons in schizophrenics and patients with depression.
In order to elucidate whether the hypothalamic expression of beta-endorphin is altered in patients with mental disorders we studied the cellular localization of the peptide in arcuate nucleus neurons as well as the beta-endorphinergic innervation of paraventricular neurons in nine schizophrenics, six subjects with depression, and nine controls. A polyclonal antiserum against beta-endorphin was employed for the immunohistochemical detection of the peptide in sections of postmortem human brains. Quantitative analysis revealed that the number of beta-endorphin-containing arcuate neurons was statistically reduced in schizophrenics and depressives in comparison to controls. Moreover, the number of endorphinoceptive (i.e. beta-endorphin-innervated) paraventricular nerve cells was also lower in psychiatric patients than in control cases. Our results showing an altered endorphinergic system in human hypothalami of schizophrenics and depressives might contribute to a renewal of interest in this peptide as a possible factor of importance in psychiatric disorders.
Bernstein
H G
HG
Department of Psychiatry, University of Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany. Hans-Gert.Bernstein@med.uni-magdeburg.de
Krell
D
D
Emrich
H M
HM
Baumann
B
B
Danos
P
P
Diekmann
S
S
Bogerts
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001111:Arcuate Nucleus of Hypothalamus / Q000473:pathology*; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000473:pathology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology*; D010286:Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus / Q000473:pathology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000473:pathology*; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000378:metabolism*
D001615:beta-Endorphin