
Depression linked to reduced levels of amino acid: study
Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Reduced levels of an amino acid found in blood samples have been linked to major depressive disorder, according to a new study in Finland.Researchers with the University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital studied 99 adults aged 20-71 with diagnosed major depressive disorder and 253 non-depressed control adults in a report published Wednesday in the Journal of Affective Disorders.The body uses the amino acid arginine to produce nitric oxide, which is a mediator for the nervous system and immune defender, and plays a role in vascular regulation. Reduced arginine is also a known risk factor of cardiovascular diseases."It is possible that depression-induced inflammatory responses lead to reduced arginine levels," doctoral student Toni Ali-Sisto, the lead author ...