title: S-100B is increased in melancholic but not in non-melancholic major depression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent evidence suggests that neurodegeneration may be involved in the pathophysiology of major depression. The astroglial peptide S-100B was shown to be increased in many diseases causing neuronal cell damage or degeneration.
  
  
  METHODS
  S-100B plasma levels were determined in 28 patients with major depression and 28 matched healthy controls using an immunofluorometric sandwich assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients suffering from melancholic depression showed significantly increased S-100B levels compared to healthy controls while non-melancholic patients demonstrated normal levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Medication of patients varied. The differentiation between melancholic and non-melancholic patients was performed clinically without using a standardized instrument.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neurodegeneration or axonal remodeling may be involved in the pathogenesis of melancholic depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Str. 11, D-48129 Muenster, Germany. rothermu@uni-muenster.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rothermundt
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Arolt
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wiesmann
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Missler
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rudolf
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kirchner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000503:physiopathology; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012016:Reference Values; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins