Year: 2005 Source: Neuropsychopharmacology, v.30, no.8, (August 2005), p.1548-1556 SIEC No: 20090137

The objective of this study was to examine if changes in protein kinase A activity or in the protein & messenger RNA expression of any of its subunits are related to the pathophysiology of teenage suicide. The sample included 17 suicide victims & 17 nonpsychiatric control subjects. Protein kinase A activity was significantly decreased in the prefrontal cortex but not the hippocampus of suicide victims as compared with controls. A decrease in protein and mRNA expression of two specific protein kinase A subunits may be associated with the pathogenesis of teenage suicide, & this decrease may be brain region specific, which may be related to the specific behavioural functions associated with these brain areas. (31 refs.)