Acute Change in Anterior Cingulate Cortex GABA, but not Glutamine/Glutamate, Mediates Antidepressant Response to Citalopram

Little is known about the acute effects of antidepressant treatments on brain glutamate and gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) levels, and their association with clinical response. Using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) we examined longitudinally the effects of citalopram on glutamine/glutamate ratios and GABA levels in the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC) of individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD). We acquired 1H-MRS scans at baseline and at days 3, 7, and 42 of citalopram treatment in nineteen unmedicated individuals with MDD.

Source: Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging - September 1, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Brian P. Brennan, Roee Admon, Chris Perriello, Erin M. LaFlamme, Alison J. Athey, Diego A. Pizzagalli, James I. Hudson, Harrison G. Pope, J. Eric Jensen Source Type: research