Journal
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
Volume 59, Issue 5, Pages 395-400Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2005.07.036
Keywords
unipolar major depression; transcranial magnetic stimulation; GABA; intracortical inhibition; intracortical facilitation; silent period
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Background: Several lines of evidence suggest that central cortical inhibitory mechanisms, especially asssociated with aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission, may play a role in the pathophysiology of major depression. Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a useful tool for investigating central cortical inhibitory mechanisms associated GABAergic neurotransmission in pyschiatric and neurological disorders. Methods: By means of transcranial magnetic stimulation, different parameters of cortical excitability, including motor threshold, the cortical silent period, and intracortical inhibition/facilitation, were investigated in 20 medication-free depressed patients and 20 age and gender-matched healthy volunteers. Results: Silent period and intracortical inhibition were reduced in depressed patients, consistent with a reduced GABAergic tone. Moreover, patients showed a significant hemispheric asymmetry in motor threshold. Conclusions: This study provides evidence of reduced GABAergic tone and motor threshold asymmetry in patients with major depression.
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