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Pharmacopsychiatry 2016; 49(01): 26-31
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1565241
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Effects of Antidepressants on Neuropeptide Y in Patients with Depression and Anxiety

S. Ozsoy
1   Department of Psychiatry, Erciyes University School of Medicine, Kayseri,Turkey
,
O. Olguner Eker
2   Department of Psychiatry, Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey
,
U. Abdulrezzak
3   Department of Nuclear Medicine, Erciyes University School of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 03 June 2015
revised 15 October 2015

accepted 20 October 2015

Publication Date:
20 January 2016 (online)

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Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the neuropeptide Y (NPY) levels in patients with anxiety and depression and also the effects of antidepressants on this neuropeptide.

Materials and Methods: The study included 40 outpatients who presented with depressive and anxiety symptoms, and 32 healthy controls. The patients received antidepressant treatment for 6 months. Serum levels of neuropeptide Y were measured before treatment in 40 patients, after 8 weeks of treatment in 32 patients, after 6 months in 10 patients, and once in the controls.

Results: Serum NPY levels were lower in the patients than in the controls. NPY levels were increased and normalized by antidepressant treatment. While there was no change in NPY levels in the patients using fluoxetine and sertraline for 8 weeks, an increase was found in patients using escitalopram and venlafaxine. Serum NPY levels were increased by treatment for 8 weeks in the patients with depression, but not in the patients with anxiety.

Discussion: The findings suggest that NPY may be related to pathophysiology in depression and anxiety, and antidepressants influence NPY levels.

Key words

depression - anxiety - antidepressant - neuropeptide y
 

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