Associations Between PPAR-γ and Executive Function in Adolescents With Major Depressive Disorder With and Without
Ayça Karaca1, Aylin Bandırma2, Aylin Beyaz3
1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Bursa, Türkiye.
Summary
Serum PPAR-γ levels were higher in adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD) and psychotic features (MDD-PF). Higher levels correlated with better executive function in MDD, but worse in MDD-PF, suggesting complex roles.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Immunology
Background:
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) involves cognitive and immune-metabolic issues, potentially worsening with psychotic features (MDD-PF).
- Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) has known neuroprotective roles in adult depression, but its function in adolescent MDD and MDD-PF remains unclear.
- This study investigates serum PPAR-γ levels and their association with executive function and inflammatory markers in adolescents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine serum PPAR-γ levels in adolescents with MDD and MDD-PF compared to healthy controls (HC).
- To explore the relationship between PPAR-γ levels and executive functioning in these adolescent groups.
- To investigate potential links between PPAR-γ, cognitive performance, and inflammatory markers.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, case-control study involving 81 adolescents (ages 10-18), categorized into MDD (n=30), MDD-PF (n=26), and HC (n=25) groups.
- Executive functions were assessed using questionnaires and neuropsychological tests.
- Serum PPAR-γ levels were measured via ELISA, with haematological and metabolic parameters analyzed in parallel.
Main Results:
- Serum PPAR-γ levels were significantly elevated in both MDD and MDD-PF groups versus HC.
- The MDD-PF group demonstrated the most severe executive dysfunction, particularly in verbal learning, visual memory, and processing speed.
- In MDD, PPAR-γ positively correlated with cognitive functions (verbal memory, attention, flexibility) and negatively with errors. In MDD-PF, PPAR-γ negatively correlated with executive functions (shift, initiation, working memory, planning, metacognition).
Conclusions:
- Elevated PPAR-γ may indicate a compensatory or neuroprotective mechanism in adolescent MDD.
- Inverse correlations in MDD-PF suggest a disrupted regulatory pattern in more severe depression.
- PPAR-γ is potentially linked to executive functioning in adolescent depression, requiring further longitudinal research for confirmation.
Keywords:
PPAR gammaadolescentexecutive functioninflammationmajor depressive disorderpsychotic depressionMore Related Videos
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