Brain research sheds light on the molecular mechanisms of depression


Date:
June 16, 2020
Source:
University of Turku
Summary:
A new study reveals how symptoms indicating depression and anxiety
are linked to brain function changes already in healthy individuals.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
A new study conducted in Turku, Finland, reveals how symptoms indicating depression and anxiety are linked to brain function changes already in
healthy individuals.


========================================================================== Researchers of the national Turku PET Centre have shown that the
opioid system in the brain is connected to mood changes associated with depression and anxiety.

Depression and anxiety are typically associated with lowered mood and
decreased experience of pleasure. Opioids regulate the feelings of pain
and pleasure in the brain. The new study conducted in Turku shows that
the symptoms associated with depression and anxiety are connected to
changes in the brain's opioid system already in healthy individuals.

- We found that the more depressive and anxious symptoms the subjects had,
the less opioid receptors there were in their brain. These receptors
function like small "docks" that are influenced by both the brains
own opioids as well as opiates. These type of opioid-mediated mood
changes can be an important mechanism in the central nervous system,
says Professor Lauri Nummenmaa from the University of Turku.

- These results show that the mood changes indicating depression can be detected in the brain already early on. Both the brain's own opioids
and synthetic opiate-based drugs regulate mood. Based on the results,
drugs that have an effect on the opioid system can help in the treatment
of depression, adds Nummenmaa.

The study was conducted with Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and
altogether 135 volunteers participated as subjects. A small dose of
radioactive tracer binding to the brain's opioid receptors was injected
in their circulation. The decay of the tracers was measured with a PET
camera, whereas the depressive and anxious symptoms of the subjects were measured with questionnaires.

The study is based on the AIVO database hosted by Turku University
Hospital and Turku PET Centre. The database contains different in vivo molecular brain scans for extensive analyses: https://aivo.utu.fi/

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Turku. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Lauri Nummenmaa, Tomi Karjalainen, Janne Isoja"rvi, Tatu Kantonen,
Jouni
Tuisku, Valtteri Kaasinen, Juho Joutsa, Pirjo Nuutila, Kari
Kalliokoski, Jussi Hirvonen, Jarmo Hietala, Juha Rinne. Lowered
endogenous mu-opioid receptor availability in subclinical depression
and anxiety.

Neuropsychopharmacology, 2020; DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-0725-9 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200616113920.htm

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