Research Clinics

Yale Depression Research Program |

The association of cortical GABA concentrations in subjects with primary insomnia and depression in partial remission with residual insomnia
[HIC#02830]

It is believed that disturbances in the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid) contribute to both Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and insomnia. This study is designed to characterize the levels of GABA in two populations: 1) people diagnosed with MDD and suffering from depressive symptoms although they are taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and 2) people suffering from primary insomnia. Subjects enrolled in this study are asked to maintain sleep logs and to wear a device for two nights that tracks their sleep patterns by non-invasive polysomnography (PSG). In addition, subjects will participate in magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), a non-invasive scan similar to a MRI that allows researchers to obtain GABA levels in the brain. It is our hope that identifying the role of GABA in depression and insomnia will aid in the development of effective treatments for these conditions.

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