title: Serum Levels of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Case-Control Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recent findings suggest an involvement of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in the pathogenesis of many psychiatric disorders; however, there is a lack of data regarding IGF-1 in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The aims of the present study were (1) to analyze putative alterations of IGF-1 serum content in patients with OCD compared to patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and healthy controls, and (2) to analyze putative changes of IGF-1 levels during drug treatment in subjects with OCD compared to patients with MDD.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited 40 OCD patients, 37 MDD patients, and 43 healthy controls. All participants were adults. Serum IGF-1 levels were measured by the ELISA method on venous blood samples collected at baseline and after 10 ± 1 weeks of drug treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IGF-1 levels were increased in OCD patients compared to controls (149.9 ± 60.2 vs. 121.2 ± 51.6 ng/ml; p = 0.040). No correlations were observed between baseline IGF-1 levels, clinical features, and response to treatment at follow-up in OCD or MDD patients. No changes in serum IGF-1 were observed after drug treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results show for the first time that serum IGF-1 levels are altered in patients with OCD. Further research on the role of IGF-1 in OCD is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Unit, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital of Orbassano, Neuroscience Department, University of Turin, Orbassano, IRCCS San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rosso
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zanardini
authors.forename: Daniela Francesca
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Chiodelli
authors.forename: Clarissa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gennarelli
authors.forename: Luisella
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bocchio-Chiavetto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; C583557:IGF1 protein, human