Altered expression of glutamate signaling, growth factor, and glia genes in the locus coeruleus of patients with major depression.

ABSTRACT: Several studies have proposed that brain glutamate signaling abnormalities and glial pathology have a role in the etiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). These conclusions were primarily drawn from post-mortem studies in which forebrain brain regions were examined. The locus coeruleus (LC) is the primary source of extensive noradrenergic innervation of the forebrain and as such exerts a powerful regulatory role over cognitive and affective functions, which are dysregulated in MDD. Furthermore, altered noradrenergic neurotransmission is associated with depressive symptoms and is thought to have a role in the pathophysiology of MDD. In the present study we used laser-capture microdissection (LCM) to selectively harvest LC tissue from post-mortem brains of MDD patients, patients with bip

SUBMITTER: Bernard R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2927798 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature