Depression and tryptophan metabolism in patients with primary brain tumors: Clinical and molecular imaging correlates

In conclusion, our results confirm pr evious data that depression affects more than ¼ of patients with primary brain tumors, it is largely independent of tumor characteristics and is associated with shorter survival in patients with recurrent malignant gliomas. On PET imaging, higher tryptophan metabolism in the frontal cortex and thal amus was found in those with brain tumor-associated depression and supports the role of dysregulated tryptophan/kynurenine metabolism in this condition.
Source: Brain Imaging and Behavior - Category: Neurology Source Type: research