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Plasma Amyloid-β Peptides and Homocysteine in Depression in the Homebound Elderly

Wei Qiao Qiu1, Xiaoyan Sun, D Mkaya Mwamburi

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine ; Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University ; Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA).

North American Journal of Medicine & Science
|June 15, 2013
PubMed

Insights

High homocysteine (tHcy) and plasma amyloid-beta 40 (Aβ40) are linked to vascular depression in elders. Reducing tHcy and Aβ40 may help treat this condition.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Vascular disease is linked to depression in the elderly.
  • Plasma amyloid-beta 40 (Aβ40) and homocysteine (tHcy) are biomarkers associated with vascular disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between tHcy and plasma Aβ40 in elderly individuals with and without depression.
  • To explore differences in these biomarkers between vascular depression and other forms of depression.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 1058 homebound elders.
  • Vascular depression defined by CES-D score and self-reported cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  • Measured plasma Aβ40, Aβ42, serum tHcy, and creatinine.

Main Results:

  • Elders with high tHcy showed higher plasma Aβ40 and Aβ42 levels.
  • A significant relationship between tHcy and plasma Aβ40 was found in depressed elders, but not in non-depressed elders.
  • Vascular depression was associated with the highest tHcy concentrations, while depressed subjects without CVD had the lowest plasma Aβ42.

Conclusions:

  • Vascular depression is associated with elevated tHcy and Aβ40.
  • The findings suggest vascular depression differs from depression linked to low plasma Aβ42.
  • Reducing tHcy and Aβ40 may be a potential adjunct treatment for vascular depression.
Abstract

Keywords:
AβDepressionHomocysteine

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