Here, we found reduced PDYN mRNA expression in the postmortem human amygdala nucleus of the periamygdaloid cortex (PAC) in both heroin abusers and MDD subjects.
These data indicate that region-specific changes in PD and c-fos expression occur after withdrawal, while SERT mRNA expression is suppressed, similar to what has been reported in MDD.
No other amygdala nuclei studied showed any significant differences for the prodynorphin mRNA levels measured in the major depression and bipolar disorder subjects.
The present study examined the prodynorphin and kappa opioid receptor mRNA expression levels in the anterior cingulate and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices of subjects diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression as compared with normal controls without a psychiatric diagnosis.