title: Decreased serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in major depressed patients.
abstract: Recent findings with animal models have suggested a possible role for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in depression. We have therefore hypothesized that depression could be characterized by low levels of serum BDNF. Major depressed patients (15F + 15M) diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria and healthy controls (15F + 15M) participated in the study. Serum BDNF was assayed with the ELISA method and the severity of depression was evaluated with Montgomery-Asberg-Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). BDNF levels were significantly lower in patients than in controls: 22.6 +/- 3 and 26.5 +/- 7 ng/ml (t-test = 2.7; d.f. = 58; P < 0.01). They were negatively correlated to the MADRS scores (r = -0.55; P < 0.02). Female patients were more depressed and released less BDNF than men. Analysis of covariance (MADRS and gender as independent variable vs. BDNF as dependent variable) indicated that depression severity mainly accounted for the negative correlation. These results suggest that major depression is characterized by low serum BDNF levels and support the hypothesis of neurotrophic factor involvement in affective disorders.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biochemistry, Division of Neuropsychiatry, Geneva University Hospitals, 2 chemin du Petit Bel-Air, CH-1225 Chêne-Bourg, Switzerland. karege@biolo.unige.ch
authors.forename: Félicien
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Karege
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perret
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bondolfi
authors.forename: Michèle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schwald
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bertschy
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Aubry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012016:Reference Values; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor