This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Leptin may mediate symptoms of depression
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
ENDO 2011
BOSTON — Women with higher levels of the appetite-controlling hormone leptin appear to have fewer symptoms of depression.
Researchers studied the relationship between leptin and symptoms of anxiety and depression in 64 women (mean age, 27 years). Fifteen women had anorexia nervosa, 12 were normal weight and had hypothalamic amenorrhea, 20 were normal weight and in good health, and 17 were overweight or obese and in good health.
The women answered questions to gauge symptoms of anxiety and depression; high scores indicated more symptoms. The researchers also measured leptin levels in the blood and calculated BMI.
They found that higher leptin levels were linked to decreased symptoms of anxiety and depression. The relationship between leptin and depression symptoms was independent of BMI. This finding indicates that leptin may mediate symptoms of depression and that this effect is not a function of low weight, according to Elizabeth Lawson, MD, from the Neuroendocrine Clinical Center at Massachusetts General Hospital.
“Further research administering leptin to humans will be important in understanding whether this hormone has a potential role in the treatment of depression,” Lawson said in a press release.
Disclosure: Dr. Lawson reports no relevant financial disclosures.
For more information:
- Lawson EA. P3-185. Presented at: The Endocrine Society 93rd Annual Meeting & Expo; June 4-7, 2011; Boston.
 |
Follow EndocrineToday.com on Twitter. |