The plasma levels of glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid in Parkinson’s disease patients with depression and their clinical significance / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the plasma levels of glutamate (Glu) andγ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in Par?kinson’s disease patients with depression (PDD) and their clinical significance. Methods Plasma levels of Glu and GA?BA were measured in 88 PD patients including 43 PDD patients and 45 PD patients without depression, and 68 healthy controls by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-RF). Depression was assessed in enrolled subjects by using the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD). The plasma levels of Glu and GABA were compared among different groups and their associations with HAMD scores were subsequently evaluated by correlation analysis. Results The plas?ma levels of Glu and GABA were significantly lower in PD group(49.81±22.79,249.17±62.57)than in normal control group(149.59±50.08,276.66±85.43)(all P<0.05). In addition, PD patients with depression exhibited significantly low?er plasma levels of Glu and GABA(40.34±15.77 and 233.63±53.56)compared to PD patients without depression(58.86± 24.87 and 264.02±67.39)and healthy controls (all P<0.05). Correlation analysis indicated that HAMD scores were nega?tively associated with plasma levels of Glu ( r=-0.366,P=0.000 ) and GABA ( r=-0.217,P=0.043 ). Conclusion The decrease in plasma levels of Glu and GABA may be implicated in the pathogenesis of depression in PD patients.