Abstract
Orexins are neuropeptides selectively expressed in a small number of neurons in the lateral–posterior hypothalamus. We measured orexin-A in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 66 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), dysthymia and adjustment disorder after a suicide attempt. Blood samples confirmed that the patients were free from antidepressive and neuroleptic medication at the time of the lumbar punctures. CSF levels of orexin-A were significantly lower in patients with MDD than in patients with adjustment disorder and dysthymia. Orexin correlated significantly with CSF levels of somatostatin, delta sleep inducing peptide-like immunoreactivity (DSIP-LI) and corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF), but not with leptin or vasopressin. Plasma levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were not reduced in MDD patients, and did not correlate with CSF-orexin. Our results suggest that suicidal patients with MDD have distinct neurobiological features, involving compromised levels of hypothalamic peptides regulating the state of arousal.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 573-579 |
Journal | European Neuropsychopharmacology |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | Mar 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2007 |
Bibliographical note
The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015.The record was previously connected to the following departments: Neuronal Survival (013212041), Psychiatry (Lund) (013303000)
Subject classification (UKÄ)
- Psychiatry
Free keywords
- Hypocretin
- Orexin
- Depression
- Hypothalamus
- Suicide
- CSF