MAO, DBH AND COMT - THE EFFECT OF ANXIETY

Abstract

Anxiety, a common accompaniment of depression in humans, can be a source of confusion in affective disorder research. The effect of anxiety on platelet monoamine oxidase, RBC [red blood cell] catechol-O-methyl transferase [COMT], and serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase[DBH]-enzymes frequently implicated in affective disorders. Levels of anxiety, plasma catecholamines and the enzymes mentioned above were quantified in groups of anxious subjects and mentally and physically healthy controls. Anxious subjects had significantly higher levels of blood plasma catecholamines and platelet monoamine oxidase. Significant positive correlations were demonstrated between plasma catecholamines and platelet monoamine oxidase, while significant inverse correlations were found between trait anxiety and COMT, norepinephrine and DBH, and COMT and DBH.