title: Neurodegeneration, β-amyloid and mood disorders: state of the art and future perspectives.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Depression may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent studies have shown modifications in blood beta-amyloid (Aβ) levels in depressed patients. This literature review examines the potential relationship between Aβ-mediated neurotoxicity and pathophysiology of mood disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a review of the literature focusing on recent studies reporting alterations of plasma and serum Aβ peptides levels in patients suffering from mood disorders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Different data suggest that patients with mood disorders are at great risk of developing cognitive impairment and dementia. In particular, low plasma levels of Aβ42 peptide and a high Aβ40/Aβ42 ratio have been found in depressed patients. In addition, changes in Aβ protein levels in patients with mood disorders have been associated with the severity of cognitive impairment and correlated positively with the number of episodes and severity of illness course.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the intriguing association between change in plasma level of Aβ, depression and cognitive impairment, future work should focus on the relationship between Aβ peripheral level(s), biomarkers of neurodegeneration and development of dementia in patients affected by mood disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Neurobiology, Pharmacology and Biotechnology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. a.piccinni@med.unipi.it
authors.forename: Armando
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piccinni
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Origlia
authors.forename: Antonello
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Veltri
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vizzaccaro
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marazziti
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vanelli
authors.forename: Ilenia
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Moroni
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Domenici
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dell'Osso
mesh_terms: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000097:blood*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides