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S100B serum levels and word memory processing in remitted major depression as reflected by brain potentials
Yuanyuan Zhang1, Matthias Rothermundt, Marion Peters
1Clinic for Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. Zhang.yuanyuan@mh-hannover.de
Neuropsychobiology
|May 27, 2009
Summary
In patients with recurrent depression, moderately increased S100B serum levels are linked to normal memory function, unlike those with normal S100B levels, suggesting a neuroprotective role.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Memory impairments, indicated by event-related potential (ERP) old/new effects, are common in depression.
- S100B, a glial protein with neuroplastic functions, is elevated in depressed patients, but its role is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between S100B serum levels and memory processes in patients with remitted major depression.
- To explore the potential neuroprotective role of S100B in affective disorders.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a visual continuous word recognition paradigm to record ERPs.
- Measured S100B serum levels in patients with remitted major depression.
- Compared ERPs and memory effects between patient groups and age-matched controls.
Main Results:
- Patients with moderately elevated S100B serum levels exhibited normal 'old/new' effects.
- Patients with normal S100B levels showed reduced 'old/new' effects compared to controls.
- A significant association was found between S100B levels and memory performance.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest S100B levels are associated with memory function in recurrent depression.
- Moderately increased S100B serum levels may play a neuroprotective role in affective disorders.
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