title: Neuroticism, depressive symptoms, and serum BDNF.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Animal models and clinical studies suggest that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in the pathophysiology of depression. We test whether serum and plasma levels of BDNF are associated with trait neuroticism and its facets and with state measures of depressive symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a community-based cohort (N = 2099), we measured serum and plasma BDNF concentrations and administered the Revised NEO Personality Inventory and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Covariates included age, sex, cigarette smoking, obesity, and antidepressant use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum BDNF concentrations were inversely related to neuroticism (r = -0.074, p < .001), in particular the depression facet (r = -0.08, p < .001). Lower BDNF concentrations were also associated with severe depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale ≥ 28; odds ratio = 0.906; 95% confidence interval = 0.851-0.965). The association of serum BDNF with neuroticism was independent of depressive symptoms, indicating that serum BDNF might represent a biological correlate of neuroticism and not just of transient depressive states. Plasma BDNF was not associated with measures of depression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study suggests that lower serum BDNF is associated with both a dispositional vulnerability to depression and acute depressive states in the general population.
authors.affiliation: National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 251 Bayview Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. Terraccianoa@mail.nih.gov
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Terracciano
authors.forename: Monia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lobina
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Piras
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mulas
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cannas
authors.forename: Osorio
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Meirelles
authors.forename: Angelina R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Sutin
authors.forename: Alan B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Zonderman
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uda
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Crisponi
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schlessinger
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor