Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0011570 (depression)
172,036 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

There is an increasing body of evidence suggesting that GABA plays an important role in the therapeutic effects of antidepressant/antipanic drugs. Phenelzine and imipramine are efficacious in the treatment of depression and panic disorder and phenelzine has been reported to elevate GABA levels while imipramine enhances GABA release in rat brains. In the present study, using a multiprobe quantitative solution hybridization assay, we measured the steady-state levels of mRNAs that encode glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67 and GAD65), the GABA transporter GAT-1 and GABA transaminase (GABA-T) in rat cortex after treatment with constant infusion (via osmotic minipumps) of phenelzine or imipramine for a short-term (3 days) or long-term (21 days) period. We found that none of the treatments gave rise to significant changes in the steady-state levels of mRNAs encoding GAD67, GAD65 or GABA-T at any time point. The steady-state levels of GAT-1 mRNA were increased significantly (23%) after long-term, but not by short-term, treatment with phenelzine. Imipramine treatment, short- or long-term, did not alter the steady-state levels of GAT-1 mRNA. These results suggest that the GABA enhancing effects of phenelzine or imipramine in rat cortex do not affect the steady-state levels of mRNAs that encode GAD67, GAD65 and GABA-T. Further, the previously observed increases in GABA levels or GABA release induced by these drugs are probably not a consequence of changes in the expression of these genes.
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PMID:Effects of phenelzine and imipramine on the steady-state levels of mRNAs that encode glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67 and GAD65), the GABA transporter GAT-1 and GABA transaminase in rat cortex. 945 70

The "disinhibition" hypothesis contends that (1) seizures begin when granule cells in the dentate gyrus of the dorsal hippocampus are disinhibited and (2) disinhibition occurs because GABAergic interneurons are excessively inhibited by other GABAergic interneurons. We tested the disinhibition hypothesis using the experimental model that inspired it-naturally epileptic Mongolian gerbils. To determine whether there is an excess of GABAergic interneurons in the dentate gyrus of epileptic gerbils, as had been reported previously, GABA immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization of GAD67 mRNA, and the optical fractionator method were used. There were no significant differences in the numbers of GABAergic interneurons. To determine whether granule cells in epileptic gerbils were disinhibited during the interictal period, IPSPs were recorded in vivo with hippocampal circuits intact in urethane-anesthetized gerbils. The reversal potentials and conductances of IPSPs in granule cells in epileptic versus control gerbils were similar. To determine whether the level of inhibitory control in the dentate gyrus transiently decreases before seizure onset, field potential responses to paired-pulse perforant path stimulation were obtained from the dorsal hippocampus while epileptic gerbils experienced spontaneous seizures. Evidence of reduced inhibition was found after, but not before, seizure onset, indicating that seizures are not triggered by disinhibition in this region. However, seizure-induced depression of inhibition may amplify and promote the spread of seizure activity to other brain regions. These findings do not support the disinhibition hypothesis and suggest that in this model of epilepsy seizures initiate by another mechanism or at a different site.
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PMID:Testing the disinhibition hypothesis of epileptogenesis in vivo and during spontaneous seizures. 1093 73

Abnormally low concentrations of brain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) have been reported in unipolar depression. Almost all of the brain GABA is synthesized by glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) enzymes (GAD67 and GAD65). These enzymes, therefore, play a central role in brain GABA homeostasis. We screened all the 17 exons of the GAD67 gene for mutations using single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) or denaturing high pressure liquid chromatography (dHPLC) in a sample of 43 individuals diagnosed with major unipolar depression or other disorders with putative GABAergic dysfunction. We identified eight novel variants (five synonymous base substitutions, two insertion/deletions and one tandem repeat). Three relatively common (minor allele frequency >20%) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), located in the 5' non-coding region (exon 0), intron 8, and the 3' non-coding region (exon 16) of the gene, were genotyped in 103 European-American (EA) subjects with depression and 125 EA psychiatrically screened controls. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) and haplotype frequencies were estimated using the 3LOCUS program. Significant LD was observed between the intron 8 SNP and the exon 16 SNP and between the exon 0 SNP and the exon 16 SNP. Three common GAD67 haplotypes were observed in this population, which accounted for >90% of the possible GAD67 three-locus haplotypes. Comparison of SNP and haplotype frequencies between individuals with depression and controls revealed no differences. These results demonstrate a significant within-gene LD for GAD67 in the EA population and begin to establish a haplotype map for this gene. Furthermore, these results suggest that common genetic variation within the GAD67 gene does not play a major role in the predisposition to unipolar depression.
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PMID:Mutation screen of the glutamate decarboxylase-67 gene and haplotype association to unipolar depression. 1468 21

The fast inhibitory transmitter GABA is robustly expressed in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) and appears to play a major role in hypothalamic regulation of endocrine function and energy homeostasis. Previously, it has not been possible to record selectively from GABA cells, because they have no defining morphological or physiological characteristics. Using transgenic mice that selectively express GFP (green fluorescent protein) in GAD67 (glutamic acid decarboxylase 67)-synthesizing cells, we identified ARC GABA neurons (n > 300) and used whole-cell recording to study their physiological response to neuropeptide Y (NPY), the related peptide YY(3-36) (PYY(3-36)), and pancreatic polypeptide (PP), important modulators of ARC function. In contrast to other identified ARC cells in which NPY receptor agonists were reported to generate excitatory actions, we found that NPY consistently reduced the firing rate and hyperpolarized GABA neurons including neuroendocrine GABA neurons identified by antidromic median eminence stimulation. The inhibitory NPY actions were mediated by postsynaptic activation of G-protein-linked inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) and depression of voltage-gated calcium currents via Y1 and Y2 receptor subtypes. Additionally, NPY reduced spontaneous and evoked synaptic glutamate release onto GABA neurons by activation of Y1 and Y5 receptors. The peptide PYY(3-36), a peripheral endocrine signal that can act in the brain, also inhibited GABA neurons, including identified neuroendocrine cells, by activating GIRK conductances and depressing calcium currents. The endogenous Y4 agonist PP depressed the activity of GABA-expressing neurons mainly by presynaptic attenuation of glutamate release. Together, these results show that the family of neuropeptide Y modulators reduces the activity of inhibitory GABA neurons in the ARC by multiple presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms.
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PMID:Mechanisms of neuropeptide Y, peptide YY, and pancreatic polypeptide inhibition of identified green fluorescent protein-expressing GABA neurons in the hypothalamic neuroendocrine arcuate nucleus. 1609 92

The sympathetic nerves that maintain blood pressure are modulated by the central respiratory generator. Neurones in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) that drive this sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) also display central respiratory drive (CRD)-related activity, suggesting integration of respiratory and cardiovascular regulatory systems within the brainstem. Whether CRD-related activity in the RVLM is due to direct inputs from central respiratory neurones or modulation of cardiovascular-related neurones that influence the RVLM is not known. The caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVLM) contains GABAergic neurones that tonically inhibit presympathetic RVLM neurones and are essential for the production of numerous cardiovascular reflexes. The present study sought to determine whether cardiovascular-related GABAergic neurones in the CVLM display CRD-related activity. The firing patterns of individual barosensitive CVLM neurones were examined in relation to phrenic nerve activity in chloralose-anaesthetized, ventilated, neuromuscularly blocked, vagotomized rats. Histograms of phrenic-triggered CVLM neuronal activity showed that all baro-activated CVLM neurones displayed one of four patterns of CRD-related activity: (i) inspiratory peak (n = 15), (ii) inspiratory depression (n = 15), (iii) inspiratory peak with postinspiratory depression (n = 10), and (iv) postinspiratory peak (n = 9). A subset of each type of CVLM neurone was identified as GABAergic by individually filling the recorded neurone with biotinamide and observing expression of GAD67 mRNA by in situ hybridization (n = 10). These data suggest that the activity of GABAergic neurones in the CVLM is regulated by cardiovascular and respiratory inputs, and baro-activated GABAergic CVLM neurones may contribute to CRD-related modulation of presympathetic RVLM neurones and SNA.
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PMID:Central respiratory modulation of barosensitive neurones in rat caudal ventrolateral medulla. 1652 59

Compelling evidence suggests that major depression is associated with dysfunction of the brain glutamatergic transmission, and that the glutamatergic N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor plays a role in antidepressant activity. Recent post-mortem studies demonstrate that depression is associated with altered concentrations of proteins associated with NMDA receptor signalling in the brain. The present study investigated glutamate signalling proteins in the amygdala from depressed subjects, given strong evidence for amygdala pathology in depression. Lateral amygdala samples were obtained from 13-14 pairs of age- sex-, and post-mortem-interval-matched depressed and psychiatrically healthy control subjects. Concentrations of NR1 and NR2A subunits of the NMDA receptor, as well as NMDA receptor-associated proteins such as post-synaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) were measured by Western immunoblotting. Additionally, levels of enzymes involved in glutamate metabolism, including glutamine synthetase and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD-67), were measured in the same amygdala samples. NR2A protein levels were markedly and significantly elevated (+115%, p=0.03) in depressed subjects compared to controls. Interestingly, PSD-95 levels were also highly elevated (+128%, p=0.01) in the same depressed subjects relative to controls. Amounts of NR1, nNOS, glutamine synthetase, and GAD-67 were unchanged. Increased levels of NR2A and PSD-95 suggest that glutamate signalling at the NMDA receptor in the amygdala is disrupted in depression.
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PMID:Elevated levels of NR2A and PSD-95 in the lateral amygdala in depression. 1857 Jul 4

A "neuroplastic" hypothesis proposes that changes in neuronal structural plasticity may underlie the aetiology of depression and the action of antidepressants. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is affected by this disorder and shows an intense expression of the polysialylated form of the neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM), a plasticity-associated molecule, which is expressed mainly in interneurons. The monoamines serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline are the principal targets of antidepressant action. Pharmacological manipulation of serotonin levels regulates synaptophysin and PSA-NCAM expression in the adult mPFC. However, the involvement of structural plasticity on the antidepressant effects of dopamine has not been well explored yet. Using immunohistochemistry, we have studied the relationship between dopaminergic fibers and PSA-NCAM expressing neurons in the mPFC and the expression of D2 receptors. In order to evaluate the effects of dopamine in neuronal structural plasticity and on inhibitory neurotransmission, we have analyzed the expression of synaptophysin, PSA-NCAM and GAD67 in the mPFC after cortical dopamine depletion with 6-OHDA and after chronic treatments with the D2 receptor antagonist haloperidol or the D2 receptor agonist PPHT. Many dopaminergic fibers were observed in close apposition to PSA-NCAM expressing neurons and 76% of these cells co-expressed D2 receptor. Both haloperidol treatment and 6-OHDA injection reduced significantly PSA-NCAM, synaptophysin and GAD67 expression in the mPFC. Conversely, PPHT treatment increased the expression of these molecules. Our results give support to the "neuroplastic" hypothesis of depression, suggesting that dopamine acting on D2 receptors may modulate neuronal structural plasticity and inhibitory neurotransmission through changes in PSA-NCAM expression.
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PMID:Dopamine acting through D2 receptors modulates the expression of PSA-NCAM, a molecule related to neuronal structural plasticity, in the medial prefrontal cortex of adult rats. 1871 70

There is an increasing body of evidence suggesting that GABAergic dysfunction is involved in various psychiatric disorders. The goal of our study was to investigate the influences of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), one of the most effective treatments for depression, on the GABAergic system in the hippocampus. In this stereology-based study, we identified GABAergic neurons by immunostaining for two isoforms of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), GAD65, and GAD67 and estimated the expression changes induced by single or repeated electroconvulsive shock (ECS; an animal model of ECT). The numerical density (ND) of entire population of GABAergic neurons (expressing GAD65 and/or GAD67) was seldom altered by the administration of ECS. GAD67-positive (GAD67(+)) neurons were also rarely affected by ECS. On the other hand, the ND of GAD65(+) neurons was changed in a layer-specific manner. In the CA1 region, the ND of GAD65(+) neurons was increased in the strata radiatum/lacunosum-moleculare (SR/SLM) by repeated ECS. In the CA3 region, the ND of GAD65(+) neurons was decreased in the stratum oriens and SR/SLM after single ECS. The expression ratio of GAD65 in GABAergic neurons was increased specifically in layers receiving afferents from the entorhinal cortex (EC), i.e., SR/SLM of the CA1 region and molecular layer of the dentate gyrus (DG), after repeated ECS administration, whereas the expression ratio of GAD67 in GABAergic neurons was decreased in several layers by the same treatment. These results indicate that the ECS-induced changes in ND of GAD65(+) or GAD67(+) neurons were most likely due to alterations in GAD expression rather than actual increases or decreases in cell numbers. Altogether, the neuronal circuit-dependent alterations in GABA-mediated signaling may play a contributory role in the depression treatment process introduced by ECT.
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PMID:Neuronal circuit-dependent alterations in expression of two isoforms of glutamic acid decarboxylase in the hippocampus following electroconvulsive shock: A stereology-based study. 1928 76

Mood disorders have been linked to glial and synaptic pathology such as disturbed neurotransmission of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). We evaluated the expression of GABAergic marker genes in rats with helpless behaviour, an animal model of depression. Male Sprague-Dawley rats from inbred lines were tested for helpless behaviour and grouped according to failures in terminating foot shock currents. Expression levels of GABAergic marker genes were assessed using semiquantitative in situ-hybridization. Animals with congenital helpless behaviour (cH) were unable to escape current exposure in contrast to cH-animals derived from the same litters with low failure rates and to non-helpless animals (cNH). We found a significant downregulation of the GABA transporter GAT3 in cLH rats. GAT1 showed small changes, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67) and the vesicular GABA transporter were not significantly altered. Reduced GABA transporter expression is well in concert with the behavioural phenotypes of knockout animals and strengthens the hypothesis of impaired glial functions in depression.
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PMID:Reduced expression of GABA transporter GAT3 in helpless rats, an animal model of depression. 1928 75

Accumulating evidence suggests dysfunction of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system in major depressive disorder (MDD). Neuroimaging studies consistently report reductions of cortical GABA in depressed patients. Our post-mortem analyses demonstrate a reduction in the density and size of GABAergic interneurons in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in MDD. The goal of this study was to test whether the level of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), the GABA synthesizing enzyme, will also be reduced in the same cortical region in MDD. Levels of GAD-65 and GAD-67 proteins were investigated by Western blotting in samples from the DLPFC (BA 9) in 13 medication-free subjects with MDD, and 13 psychiatrically healthy controls. The overall amount of GAD-67 was significantly reduced (-34%) in depressed subjects compared to matched controls. Since recent neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that antidepressants modulate GABA levels, additional experiments were performed to examine the levels of GAD in eight depressed subjects treated with antidepressant medications. Levels of GAD-67 were unchanged in these depressed subjects compared to their respective controls (n=8). The overall amounts of GAD-65 were similar in depressed subjects compared to matched controls, regardless of antidepressant medication. Reduced levels of GAD-67, which is localized to somata of GABA neurons, further support our observation of a decreased density of GABAergic neurons in the PFC in depression. It is likely that a decrease in GAD-67 accounts for the reduction in GABA levels revealed by neuroimaging studies. Moreover, our data support previous neuroimaging observations that antidepressant medication normalizes GABA deficits in depression.
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PMID:Reduced level of glutamic acid decarboxylase-67 kDa in the prefrontal cortex in major depression. 2023 54


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