142. Synaptic Density Alterations are Associated With Depression Severity and Network Alterations

Synaptic loss produced as a consequence of chronic stress contributes to the emergence of depressive-like behavior in animals. Reduced synaptic density and deficits in cortical functional connectivity are also hypothesized to contribute to symptoms associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We can now quantify synaptic density in vivo by measuring synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) with the radioligand [11C]UCB-J and positron emission tomography (PET).

Source: Biological Psychiatry - May 13, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Sophie Holmes, Dustin Scheinost, Sjoerd Finnema, Mika Naganawa, Margaret Davis, Nicole DellaGioia, Nabeel Nabulsi, David Matuskey, Gustavo Angarita, Robert Pietrzak, Ronald Duman, Gerard Sanacora, John Krystal, Richard Carson, Irina Esterlis Source Type: research