Related Experiment Videos
Endocoids in depression: do antidepressants alter endocoids that affect the serotonergic system?
1Pharmacology Department, University College, Galway, Ireland.
Summary
Researchers found that plasma from depressed patients contains factors that impair serotonin (5HT) transport. These factors may contribute to affective disorders and their effects lessen with patient recovery, suggesting a target for antidepressant treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Factors impeding serotonin (5HT) transport into brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, and plasma have been identified.
- These impeding substances are hypothesized to play a role in the etiology of affective disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and effect of plasma factors in untreated depressed patients on serotonin uptake and platelet aggregation.
- To explore the potential role of these factors in the pathophysiology of depression.
Main Methods:
- A preliminary study involving plasma from untreated depressed patients and control subjects.
- Assessment of 5HT-induced platelet aggregation and 3H-5HT uptake in control subjects exposed to plasma from depressed patients.
Main Results:
- Plasma from untreated depressed patients impaired 5HT-induced platelet aggregation and 3H-5HT uptake in control subjects.
- The impairing effect on platelet aggregation diminished after the depressed patients recovered.
Conclusions:
- Endogenous substances (endocoids) in depressed patients may cause defects in serotonergic function.
- Antidepressant treatments might be effective by counteracting the effects of these endocoids.