Locally increased P-glycoprotein function in major depression: a PET study with [C-11]verapamil as a probe for P-glycoprotein function in the blood-brain barrier

摘要

The aetiology of depressive disorder remains unknown, although genetic susceptibility and exposure to neurotoxins are currently being discussed as possible contributors to this disorder. In normal circumstances, the brain is protected against bloodborne toxic influences by the bloodbrain barrier, which includes the molecular efflux pump P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in the vessel wall of brain capillaries. We hypothesized that P-gp function in the bloodbrain barrier is changed in patients with major depression. Positron emission tomography was used to measure brain uptake of [