Alpha-Synuclein RNA Expression is Increased in Major Depression

Abstract

Alpha-synuclein (SNCA) is a small membrane protein that plays an important role in neuro-psychiatric diseases. It is best known for its abnormal subcellular aggregation in Lewy bodies that serves as a hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). Due to the high comorbidity of PD with depression, we investigated the role of SNCA in patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD). <i>SNCA</i> mRNA expression levels were analyzed in peripheral blood cells of MDD patients and a healthy control group. <i>SNCA</i> mRNA expression was positively correlated with severity of depression as indicated by psychometric assessment. We found a significant increase in <i>SNCA</i> mRNA expression levels in severely depressed patients compared with controls. Thus, SNCA analysis could be a helpful target in the search for biomarkers of MDD.