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Platelet uptake of GABA and glutamate in patients with bipolar disorder
Author(s) -
Daniele Simona,
Da Pozzo Eleonora,
Abelli Marianna,
Panighini Anna,
Pini Stefano,
Gesi Camilla,
Lari Lisa,
Cardini Alessandra,
Cassano Giovanni Battista,
Martini Claudia
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
bipolar disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.285
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1399-5618
pISSN - 1398-5647
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-5618.2012.01005.x
Subject(s) - bipolar disorder , young mania rating scale , mania , glutamate receptor , medicine , psychology , hamilton rating scale for depression , endocrinology , major depressive disorder , psychiatry , lithium (medication) , mood , receptor
Daniele S, Da Pozzo E, Abelli M, Panighini A, Pini S, Gesi C, Lari L, Cardini A, Cassano GB, Martini C. Platelet uptake of GABA and glutamate in patients with bipolar disorder. Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 301–308. © 2012 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Objectives: Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (Glu) are the major neurotransmitters of the human central nervous system, and their actions are determined by specific transporters. Several studies suggest that GABA‐ and Glu‐uptake mechanisms are modified in patients with bipolar disorder (BD). We explored the functionality of the GABA and Glu transporters in three groups of patients with BD, each with a different polarity of index episode (manic, depressive, or euthymic) at the time of blood draw. Methods: Forty patients with a diagnosis of BD, according to DSM‐IV‐TR criteria, and 15 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. GABA and Glu uptake were evaluated in freshly prepared platelets using [ 3 H]GABA or [ 3 H]glutamate. Results: Compared to controls, GABA uptake was significantly increased in patients with depressive episodes and significantly decreased in subjects with manic episodes. Glu uptake was significantly increased in patients with index manic episodes and in euthymic patients compared to healthy controls. Moreover, a positive correlation was found between GABA platelet uptake and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores and between Glu platelet uptake and Young Mania Rating Scale scores in patients with manic episodes. Conclusions: We found a relationship between GABA‐ and Glu‐uptake levels and the polarity of episodes in patients with BD. Our data suggest that the functionality of both GABA and Glu transporters could represent a useful neurobiological marker to characterize the real polarity of an index episode of illness in patients with BD.