Decreased levels of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor in both depressed and euthymic patients with unipolar depression and in euthymic patients with bipolar I and II disorders.

摘要: Objectives:  Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been proposed as a candidate molecule in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorders (BD). Reduced levels peripheral BDNF have found drug-free MDD patients, drug-treated depressed or manic patients with BD type I (BD-I), but not euthymic BD-I individuals. No study done II (BD-II). Moreover, influence Axis psychiatric comorbidity on circulating affective never evaluated. Therefore, present study, we aimed: (i) to confirm previous findings patients; (ii) assess whether changes occur also BD-II; (iii) exclude possibility that comorbid exerted an effect patients. Methods:  We measured serum concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method 85 subjects, including 24 unipolar depression (UD), 17 BD-I, 11 BD-II, UD current episode 22 healthy controls. At time 15 were drug-treated; remaining ones for at least four weeks. Results:  Compared controls, significantly reduced all patient groups (F4,80 = 3.840, p = 0.006) no significant difference among them. Drug treatments had lowered patients. Conclusions:  Present results independent report, first time, decreased UD, independently from drug treatment status concomitant disorders.