Troponin and S100 beta are associated with depression in healthy older adults.
OBJECTIVE
Depression has a significant impact on the functioning of older adults and often precedes cognitive decline or dementia. The current study examines the association between biomarkers related to neurocognitive outcome and depression in this population.


METHODS
Thirty-five older adults without significant neurological or psychiatric history underwent fasting blood draw and psychological testing. Self-reported measures of current and history of depression and assays for brain-derived neurotrophic factor, S100-beta, amyloid beta, and troponin were analyzed.


RESULTS
Troponin levels were found to be inversely related to current depression (r = -0.35, p = 0.03), while individuals who reported having a past history of depression had significantly higher levels of S100 beta than those who did not report this (t (33) = -2.08, p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The current study shows some support for the association of neurocognitive biomarkers to depression, though the mechanisms for these relationships are unclear and warrant further investigation.
Benitez
Andreana
A
Department of Psychology, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA. abenitez@kent.edu
Gunstad
John
J
Hughes
Joel
J
Glickman
Ellen
E
Alexander
Thomas
T
Spitznagel
Mary Beth
MB
Juvancic-Heltzel
Judi
J
Murray
Leigh
L
D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014336:Troponin / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins; C579160:S100B protein, human; D014336:Troponin