CSF GABA and neuropeptides in pathological gamblers and normal controls

Alec Roy, Judith DeJong, Thomas Ferraro, Bryon Adinoff, Philip Gold, David Rubinow, Markku Linnoila

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

We previously reported that pathological gamblers may have increased central noradrenergic activity. Neurons releasing γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are known to be a part of an inhibitory system regulating the activity of central noradrenergic neurons. Therefore, we examined cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of GABA in pathological gamblers and normal controls. There was no significant difference between the groups. Also, depressed and nondepressed gamblers did not differ significantly in their CSF levels of GABA. Among controls, however, there was a significant negative correlation between CSF levels of GABA and the norepinephrine metabolite 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) and a significant positive correlation between CSF levels of GABA and corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH). Also, CSF levels of CRH showed a significant positive correlation with CSF levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone in both pathological gamblers and controls.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)137-144
Number of pages8
JournalPsychiatry Research
Volume30
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1989
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Biological Psychiatry

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