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Levels in neurotransmitter precursor amino acids correlate with mental health in patients with breast cancer.
- Source :
-
Psychoneuroendocrinology [Psychoneuroendocrinology] 2015 Oct; Vol. 60, pp. 28-38. Date of Electronic Publication: 2015 Jun 08. - Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer among females. Approximately 30% of cancer patients develop depression or depressive adaptation disorder within 5 years post diagnosis. Low grade inflammation and subsequent changes in neurotransmitter levels could be the pathophysiological link. In the current study we investigated the association of neurotransmitter precursor amino acids with a diagnosis of depression or state anxiety in 154 subjects suffering from breast cancer (BCA(+)), depression (DPR(+)), both or neither. Sociodemographic parameters, severity of depressive symptoms, and state anxiety (ANX) were recorded. Neopterin, kynurenine/tryptophan and phenylalanine/tyrosine were analysed by HPLC or ELISA. Significantly higher serum neopterin values were found in DPR(+) patients (p = 0.034) and in ANX(+) subjects (p = 0.008), as a marker of Th1-related inflammation. The phenylalanine/tyrosine ratio (index of the catecholamine pathway) was associated with the factors "breast cancer" and "depression" and their interaction (all p < 0.001); it was highest in the DPR(+)BCA(+) group. The kynurenine/tryptophan ratio (index of the serotonin pathway) was significantly associated with the factors "breast cancer" and "state anxiety" and their interaction (p < 0.001, p = 0.026, p = 0.02, respectively); it was highest in the ANX(+)BCA(+) group. In BCA(+) patients kynurenine/tryptophan ratios correlated with severity of state anxiety (r = 0.226, p = 0.048, uncorrected) and phenylalanine/tyrosine ratios with severity of depressive symptoms (r = 0.376, p < 0.05, corrected). In conclusion, levels of neurotransmitter precursor amino acids correlate with mental health, an effect which was much more pronounced in BCA(+) patients than in BCA(-) subjects. Aside from identifying underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, these results could be the basis for future treatment studies: in BCA(+) patients with depression the use of serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors might be recommended while in those with predominant anxiety selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors might be the treatment of choice.<br /> (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Adult
Aged
Anxiety Disorders metabolism
Anxiety Disorders psychology
Catecholamines metabolism
Depressive Disorder psychology
Female
Health Status
Humans
Metabolic Networks and Pathways
Middle Aged
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Serotonin metabolism
Socioeconomic Factors
Young Adult
Amino Acids metabolism
Breast Neoplasms metabolism
Breast Neoplasms psychology
Mental Health
Neurotransmitter Agents metabolism
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1873-3360
- Volume :
- 60
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Psychoneuroendocrinology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 26112459
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.06.001