Reduced serum levels of adiponectin in elderly patients with major depression.
Recent studies have implicated adiponectin and other adipocytokines in brain function, particularly in processes related to memory and cognition. Blood levels of adiponectin are reduced in patients with primary cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment, and in adult patients with major depression. The aim of the present study is to determine serum levels of adiponectin in a sample of elderly patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) as compared to healthy older adults, and to examine the correlations between adiponectin levels and parameters indicative of mood and cognitive state. We recruited fifty-one unmedicated outpatients with late-life depression (LLD) and 47 age-matched controls in this study. The diagnosis of MDD was made according to the DSM-IV criteria, and the severity of depressive episode was determined with the 21-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HDRS). Cognitive state was ascertained with the Cambridge Cognitive Test (CAMCOG) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Serum concentrations of adiponectin were determined using a sandwich ELISA method. Serum levels of adiponectin were significantly reduced in individuals with LLD (F = p < 0.001). Adiponectin level remained significantly reduced in after controlling for BMI index, scores on the CAMCOG, MMSE and HDRS and educational level (p < 0.001). Adiponectin levels showed a negative correlation with HDRS scores (r = -0.59, p < 0.001) and BMI index (r = -0.42, p < 0.001); and showed a positive correlation with CAMCOG (r = 0.34, p < 0.01) and MMSE scores (r = 0.20, p = 0.05). The availability of circulating adiponectin is reduced in older adults with major depression, with likely implications on cognitive and mood state. Additional studies are required to determine whether this abnormality pertains to the pathophysiology of geriatric depression per se, or is a consequence of the morbid state.
Laboratory of Neuroscience (LIM 27), Department and Institute of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. brenosatler@gmail.com
Breno S
BS
Diniz
Antonio L
AL
Teixeira
Alline C
AC
Campos
Aline S
AS
Miranda
Natalia P
NP
Rocha
Leda L
LL
Talib
Wagner F
WF
Gattaz
Orestes V
OV
Forlenza
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D052242:Adiponectin