title: Consensus paper of the WFSBP Task Force on Biological Markers: biological markers in depression.
abstract: Biological markers for depression are of great interest to aid in elucidating the causes of major depression. We assess currently available biological markers to query their validity for aiding in the diagnosis of major depression. We specifically focus on neurotrophic factors, serotonergic markers, biochemical markers, immunological markers, neuroimaging, neurophysiological findings, and neuropsychological markers. We delineate the most robust biological markers of major depression. These include decreased platelet imipramine binding, decreased 5-HT1A receptor expression, increase of soluble interleukin-2 receptor and interleukin-6 in serum, decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor in serum, hypocholesterolemia, low blood folate levels, and impaired suppression of the dexamethasone suppression test. To date, however, none of these markers are sufficiently specific to contribute to the diagnosis of major depression. Thus, with regard to new diagnostic manuals such as DSM-V and ICD-11 which are currently assessing whether biological markers may be included in diagnostic criteria, no biological markers for major depression are currently available for inclusion in the diagnostic criteria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Rainald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mössner
authors.forename: Olya
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mikova
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Koutsilieri
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saoud
authors.forename: Ann-Christince
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Ehlis
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Andreas J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Fallgatter
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Riederer
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D015415:Biomarkers; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000378:metabolism; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000378:metabolism; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism; D014815:Vitamins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004573:Electrolytes; D007378:Interleukins; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D014280:Triglycerides; D014815:Vitamins; D002784:Cholesterol; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D009584:Nitrogen