PLASMA GABA IN AFFECTIVE DISORDER

这项建议的主要目的是研究血浆中 正常人和患者的γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)水平 患有原发情感障碍。 几项初步研究，部分得到了NIMH心理健康的支持 小额赠款，表明慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者血浆GABA水平较低 与对照组相比，单相抑郁。双相情感障碍患者 情感性精神障碍患者的血浆GABA水平在控制范围内 抑郁时，但血浆GABA水平高于对照组 当患者躁狂时，在他们经历了一次临床 恢复。 这项工作需要继续和扩展。首先，更大规模的 将对正常对照进行研究，以确定血浆中GABA的稳定性 随着时间的推移。第二，一系列未用药的初发患者 单相抑郁、双相抑郁和躁狂都会有他们的血浆 在他们生病和有症状时测定GABA水平。血浆GABA 将在患者康复后再次获得 而且没有任何症状，可以安全地停药。 这项研究应该有助于我们理解GABA所起的作用 在情感障碍的病理生理学方面。

The primary aim of this proposal is to study plasma levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in normal control subjects and in patients with primary affective disorder. Several preliminary studies, supported in part by an NIMH Mental Health Small grant, suggest that plasma GABA levels are low in patients with unipolar depression when compared to control. Patients with bipolar affective disorder had levels of plasma GABA that were in the control range when depressed, but plasma GABA levels that were elevated above control when the patients were manic and after they had experienced a clinical recovery. This work needs to be continued and extended. First, a larger group of normal controls will be studied to determine the stability of plasma GABA over time. Second, a series of medication-free patients with primary unipolar depression, bipolar depression, and mania will have their plasma GABA levels determined while they are ill and symptomatic. Plasma GABA will again be obtained in the patients after they have recovered from the episode and are asymptomatic and can safely be withdrawn from medication. This research should contribute to our understanding of the role GABA plays in the pathophysiology of affective disorder.