title: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in women with postpartum affective disorder and suicidality.
abstract: Our aim was to investigate serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in postpartum women, according to the presence of postpartum affective disorder (PPAD) and suicidality. A cross-sectional study was carried out with women between 45 and 90 days after delivery. PPAD (depression, manic and mixed episode) and suicide risk were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. BDNF was assessed using a commercial ELISA kit. Linear regression was used for multivariate analyses. A hundred ninety women participated in the study, 15.3 % had PPAD, 7.4 % showed PPAD with suicide risk. BDNF levels were lower in subjects with three or more Stressful Life Events (P = 0.01). The serum BDNF levels of women with PPAD presenting suicide risk were significantly lower than those of women without suicide risk (1.50 ± 1.38 and 2.33 ± 1.28 ng/ml, P = 0.02). Clinicians should enquire postpartum women about their history of stressful life events, PPAD, and suicidality. This study shows the potential role of BDNF in the neurobiology of the association of PPAD and suicidality.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde & Comportamento, Centro de Ciências da Vida e da Saúde, Universidade Católica de Pelotas, Rua Gonçalves Chaves, 373 sala 411C, Pelotas, RS CEP 96015-560, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ricardo Tavares
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
authors.forename: Karen Amaral Tavares
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
authors.forename: Fábio Monteiro
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: da Cunha Coelho
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: de Ávila Quevedo
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gazal
authors.forename: Ricardo Azevedo
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Márcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giovenardi
authors.forename: Aldo Bolten
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Lucion
authors.forename: Diogo Onofre
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.forename: Luis Valmor
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Portela
authors.forename: Jean Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Oses
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D059020:Suicidal Ideation
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor