Alpha-Synuclein mRNA Levels Correspond to Beck Depression Inventory Scores in Females with Eating Disorders

α-Synuclein (α-Syn) is a neuronal protein involved in the regulation of brain serotonin and dopamine levels. We analyzed the peripheral expression of α-Syn mRNA and Beck Depression Inventory scores in female patients suffering from anorexia nervosa (n = 18) or bulimia nervosa (n = 24). We found a significant positive association between α-Syn mRNA expression and the total scores of the Beck Depression Inventory (linear regression; R 2 = 0.20; p = 0.003). α-Syn may play a pathophysiological role in depressive symptoms associated with eating disorders. Further investigations in patients with depression as a sole diagnosis are needed to support its role in the pathogenesis of major depression.