Abstract
It has been hypothesized that the neuropeptide Y (NPY) system is involved in the pathogenesis of mood disorder. In this study, Y1 and Y2 receptor mRNA expression levels were analyzed in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of subjects affected with major depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia and compared to normal controls. No significant alterations in Y1 or Y2 mRNA expression levels were observed between the groups. However, the Y2 mRNA expression was elevated in layer IV in subjects with suicide as a cause of death. For the Y1 mRNA expression, there was a negative correlation with increasing subject age in the prefrontal cortex. Analysis of covariance revealed a significant elevation of the Y1 mRNA expression levels in individuals with a current history of marijuana use but no other drug. In summary, the current results suggest distinct alterations of the prefrontal Y1 and Y2 neuronal populations in aging and suicide.
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Acknowledgements
This work was funded by the Karolinska Institute, Swedish Medical Research Council (11252) and the Stanley Foundation. Post-mortem brains were donated by the Stanley Foundation Brain Consortium courtesy of Drs. Llewellyn B. Bigelow, Juraj Cervenak, Mary M. Herman, Thomas M. Hyde, Joel E. Kleinman, José D. Paltán, Robert M. Post, E. Fuller Torrey, Maree J. Webster, and Robert H. Yolken. We thank Elisabeth Berg and Margaret Krook (Karolinska Institute Statistical Department) for statistical assistance.
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Caberlotto, L., Hurd, Y. Neuropeptide Y Y1 and Y2 Receptor mRNA Expression in the Prefrontal Cortex of Psychiatric Subjects. Neuropsychopharmacol 25, 91–97 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0893-133X(00)00231-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0893-133X(00)00231-1
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