Circulating Glial-derived neurotrophic factor is reduced in late-life depression
Breno S Diniz1, Antonio L Teixeira, Aline S Miranda
1Laboratory of Neuroscience (LIM 27), Department and Institute of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Rua Dr. Ovidio Pires de Campos 785, 3rd floor, 05403-010-São Paulo, SP, Brazil. brenosatler@usp.br
Journal of Psychiatric Research
|October 4, 2011
Summary
Serum Glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) levels are significantly reduced in elderly individuals with depression. Lower GDNF may indicate a depressive episode and suggest new antidepressant targets.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a neurotrophic factor found in the central nervous system.
- Altered GDNF homeostasis is implicated in affective disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum GDNF concentrations in elderly patients with late-life depression before treatment.
- To compare GDNF levels in depressed elderly individuals with healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Study included 34 elderly subjects with major depression and 37 age/gender-matched healthy controls.
- Depression diagnosis confirmed using SCID for DSM-IV.
- Depressive symptom severity assessed with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-21).
- Serum GDNF levels measured via sandwich ELISA.
Main Results:
- Elderly patients with major depression exhibited significantly lower serum GDNF levels compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001).
- GDNF levels showed a negative correlation with HDRS-21 scores (r = -0.343, p = 0.003).
Conclusions:
- GDNF may serve as a state marker for depressive episodes in older adults.
- Dysregulation of GDNF production could be a potential target for novel antidepressant therapies.
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