Cerebrospinal fluid diazepam binding inhibitor in depressed patients and normal controls

Diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI) is a neuromodulatory peptide for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission. Levels of DBI in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were found to be elevated in depressed patients, when compared to age- and sex-matched normal controls. Levels of the peptide, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), in CSF have been found to be elevated in depressed patients. Significant positive correlations between levels of DBI and CRH in the CSF of depressed patients and normal controls were found. These data suggest the possibility that DBI may have a role in coordinating responses to stress in humans, in addition to its possible role in the pathophysiology of depression.