title: Longitudinal associations between BDNF promoter methylation and late-life depression.
abstract: Reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) function has been suggested as a risk factor for late-life depression. BDNF secretion is influenced by epigenetic (DNA promoter methylation) and genetic (val66met polymorphism) profiles. We investigated the independent and interactive effects of BDNF methylation and val66met polymorphism on late-life depression. In total, 732 Korean community residents aged ≥ 65 years were evaluated, and 521 of them without depression at baseline were followed up 2 years later. Depression was determined using the Geriatric Mental State Schedule, and depression severity was evaluated with the Geriatric Depression Scale. Demographic and clinical covariates were obtained. The effects of BDNF methylation and polymorphism on the diagnosis of depression were investigated using a multivariate logistic regression model, and the relationships between BDNF methylation and depression severity were evaluated using partial correlation tests. Higher BDNF methylation was independently associated with the prevalence and incidence of depression and severe depressive symptoms. No significant methylation-genotype interactions were found. BDNF promoter methylation could be a proxy biomarker for depression late in life.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
authors: Hee-Ju
authors: HJ
authors: Kang
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: jmkim@chonnam.ac.kr.
authors: Jae-Min
authors: JM
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
authors: Kyung-Yeol
authors: KY
authors: Bae
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
authors: Sung-Wan
authors: SW
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
authors: Il-Seon
authors: IS
authors: Shin
authors: Brain Korea 21 Project, Center for Biomedical Human Resources, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
authors: Hye-Ran
authors: HR
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
authors: Myung-Geun
authors: MG
authors: Shin
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
authors: Jin-Sang
authors: JS
authors: Yoon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
keywords: Aged; BDNF; DNA methylation; Depression; Epigenetics