Citation

Garcia-Sevilla JA, Walzer C, La Harpe R, Eytan A, Guimón J. Med. Hyg. (Geneve) 1999; 57(2269): 1744-1749.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Médecine et Hygiène)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Suicide and depression are associated with an increased density of a2-adrenoceptors in specific regions of the human brain. The function of these inhibitory receptors involves various regulatory proteins (the G inhibitory protein Gail/2 and the GRK2 kinase), which work in concert with the receptors. Increased levels of a2A-adrenoceptors, Gail/2 proteins, and membrane-associated GRK2 were found in the prefrontal cortex of suicide victims and antidepressant-free depressed suicide victims. In these two groups, then were significant correlations between the levels of GRK2 (dependent variable) and those a2A-adrenoceptors and Gail/2 proteins (independent variables). Antemortem antidepressant treatment was associated with a significant reduction in the levels of Gail/2 proteins, but with modest decreases in the levels of a2A-adrenoceptors and GRK2 in the brains of depressed suicide victims. Taken altogether, these results support the existence of supersensitive a2A-adrenoceptors in subjects with major depression.

Language: fr