Related Experiment Videos
Urinary phenylacetic acid in panic disorder with and without depression
H C Sabelli1, J I Javaid, J Fawcett
1Department of Psychiatry, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
|July 1, 1990
Summary
Phenylacetic acid (PAA) excretion is lower in patients with panic disorder and depression. This finding supports PAA as a potential biomarker for depressive disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Phenylacetic acid (PAA) is a metabolite with potential implications in neurological and psychiatric conditions.
- Previous research suggests altered PAA levels in certain mood disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate PAA excretion levels in patients diagnosed with panic disorder.
- To determine if PAA excretion differs between panic disorder patients with and without comorbid major depression.
Main Methods:
- Urine samples were collected from 39 patients meeting panic disorder criteria.
- PAA excretion was quantified and compared between subgroups (panic with depression vs. panic without depression) and with normal controls.
Main Results:
- Patients with panic disorder and major depression exhibited significantly lower PAA excretion (66 +/- 23 mg/day) compared to normal controls.
- Patients with panic disorder but without depression showed PAA excretion (104 +/- 23 mg/day) not significantly different from controls.
Conclusions:
- Reduced PAA excretion is associated with comorbid depression in patients with panic disorder.
- These findings reinforce the role of PAA as a potential biochemical marker for depressive disorders.