Refereed journal article or data article (A1)
Lowered endogenous mu-opioid receptor availability in subclinical depression and anxiety
List of Authors: Nummenmaa Lauri, Karjalainen Tomi, Isojärvi Janne, Kantonen Tatu, Tuisku Jouni, Kaasinen Valtteri, Joutsa Juho, Nuutila Pirjo, Kalliokoski Kari, Hirvonen Jussi, Hietala Jarmo, Rinne Juha
Publisher: NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
Publication year: 2020
Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology
Journal name in source: NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
Journal acronym: NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOL
Volume number: 45
Issue number: 11
Number of pages: 7
ISSN: 0893-133X
eISSN: 1740-634X
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41386-020-0725-9
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7608336/
Abstract
Major depressive disorder is associated with lowered mood, anxiety, anhedonia, sleep problems, and cognitive impairments. Many of these functions are regulated by mu-opioid receptor (MOR) system. Preclinical, in vivo, and post-mortem studies have however yielded inconclusive results regarding the role of the MOR in depression and anxiety. Moreover, it is not known whether alterations in MOR are already present in subclinical depression and anxiety. In a large-scale retrospective cross-sectional study we pooled data from 135 (113 males and 22 females) healthy subjects whose brain's MOR availability was measured with positron emission tomography (PET) using an agonist radioligand [C-11]carfentanil that has high affinity for MORs. Depressive and anxious symptomology was addressed with BDI-II and STAI-X questionnaires, respectively. Both anxiety and depression scores in the subclinical range were negatively associated with MOR availability in cortical and subcortical areas, notably in amygdala, hippocampus, ventral striatum, and orbitofrontal and cingulate cortices. We conclude that dysregulated MOR availability is involved in altered mood and pathophysiology of depression and anxiety disorders.
Major depressive disorder is associated with lowered mood, anxiety, anhedonia, sleep problems, and cognitive impairments. Many of these functions are regulated by mu-opioid receptor (MOR) system. Preclinical, in vivo, and post-mortem studies have however yielded inconclusive results regarding the role of the MOR in depression and anxiety. Moreover, it is not known whether alterations in MOR are already present in subclinical depression and anxiety. In a large-scale retrospective cross-sectional study we pooled data from 135 (113 males and 22 females) healthy subjects whose brain's MOR availability was measured with positron emission tomography (PET) using an agonist radioligand [C-11]carfentanil that has high affinity for MORs. Depressive and anxious symptomology was addressed with BDI-II and STAI-X questionnaires, respectively. Both anxiety and depression scores in the subclinical range were negatively associated with MOR availability in cortical and subcortical areas, notably in amygdala, hippocampus, ventral striatum, and orbitofrontal and cingulate cortices. We conclude that dysregulated MOR availability is involved in altered mood and pathophysiology of depression and anxiety disorders.
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