Decreased concentrations of delta-sleep inducing peptide in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid from depressed patients

Abstract

Delta-sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP) was measured in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from healthy volunteers and patients with a RDC diagnosis of major depressive disorder.

The samples were taken between 8 and 9 a.m. The occurrence and severity of depressive symptoms were assessed using the Hamilton depression rating scale and items from the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale in connection with the CSF and plasma samplings.

The DSIP concentrations in the depressed patients were significantly lower in CSF (308$36 pg/ml, p<0.001) as well as in plasma (578$49 pg/ml, p<0.001) when compared to the control concentrations (CSF: 546+22 pg/ml; plasma: 992$74 pg/ml). No statistically significant correlations were found between the CSF and plasma concentrations of DSIP in the two groups. The DSIP levels in CSF did not show any statistically significant correlation with the CSF monoamine metabolite concentrations or with age, height or weight of the subjects. In the depressed group no relationship was found between sleep scores, total depression scores and the plasma or CSF concentrations of DSIP. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), Delta-sleep inducing peptide (DSIP), Depression, Depression rating scales, Healthy volunteers, Plasma.