Desipramine does not alter plasma GABA in patients with major depression

J Affect Disord. 1993 Sep;29(1):53-6. doi: 10.1016/0165-0327(93)90119-5.

Abstract

Low plasma GABA is a biological marker for depression in a subset of patients tested. Plasma GABA has been shown to reflect brain GABA activity. This marker has many characteristics of a trait marker for depression, including stability with time, and lack of influence by coincident factors such as gender, season, time, activity or diet. We here report that plasma GABA remained stable after 4 weeks of treatment with desipramine in patients with major depression. Since the levels of plasma GABA did not change with time, nor with clinical improvement, plasma GABA is not a state marker of depression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Desipramine / pharmacology*
  • Desipramine / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / blood*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Desipramine