title: Alpha-synuclein mRNA levels correspond to beck depression inventory scores in females with eating disorders.
abstract: Alpha-synuclein (alpha-Syn) is a neuronal protein involved in the regulation of brain serotonin and dopamine levels. We analyzed the peripheral expression of alpha-Syn mRNA and Beck Depression Inventory scores in female patients suffering from anorexia nervosa (n = 18) or bulimia nervosa (n = 24). We found a significant positive association between alpha-Syn mRNA expression and the total scores of the Beck Depression Inventory (linear regression; R(2) = 0.20; p = 0.003). alpha-Syn may play a pathophysiological role in depressive symptoms associated with eating disorders. Further investigations in patients with depression as a sole diagnosis are needed to support its role in the pathogenesis of major depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany. helge.frieling@uk-erlangen.de
authors.forename: Helge
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Frieling
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gozner
authors.forename: Konstanze D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Römer
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wilhelm
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hillemacher
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kornhuber
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Zwaan
authors.forename: Georg E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Jacoby
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bleich
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000097:blood*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult; D051844:alpha-Synuclein / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051844:alpha-Synuclein