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  • Title: Evidence for impaired cortical inhibition in patients with unipolar major depression.
    Author: Bajbouj M, Lisanby SH, Lang UE, Danker-Hopfe H, Heuser I, Neu P.
    Journal: Biol Psychiatry; 2006 Mar 01; 59(5):395-400. PubMed ID: 16197927.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Several lines of evidence suggest that central cortical inhibitory mechanisms, especially associated with gamma-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 with GABAergic neurotransmission in psychiatric 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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