Neuropeptide Y in frontal cortex is not altered in major depression

Previously, we reported a modest but significant reduction in the concentration of neuropeptide Y in frontal cortices from victims of suicide relative to age-matched natural or accidental death control subjects. The reduction in neuropeptide Y appeared to be greatest in a subgroup of victims of suicide for which there was indirect evidence of histories of depression. We pursued these initial findings in the present study by measuring neuropeptide Y concentrations in frontal cortices from natural or accidental death control subjects and from suicide victims in whom a firm diagnosis of major depression was established by psychiatric autopsy. Because several subjects with major depression had a comorbid diagnosis of alcoholism, a group of victims of suicide that had an Axis I diagnosis of alcohol dependence was also studied. No significant differences in neuropeptide Y concentrations were observed between control subjects and victims of suicide with major depression or victims of suicide with alcohol dependence. These findings do not support a role for neuropeptide Y in major depression.