BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests that neurodegeneration may be involved in the pathophysiology of major depression. The astroglial peptide S-100B was shown to be increased in many diseases causing neuronal cell damage or degeneration. METHOD: S-100B plasma levels were determined in 28 patients with major depression and 28 matched healthy controls using an immunofluorometric sandwich assay. RESULTS: Patients suffering from melancholic depression showed significantly increased S-100B levels compared to healthy controls while non-melancholic patients demonstrated normal levels. LIMITATIONS: Medication of patients varied. The differentiation between melancholic and non-melancholic patients was performed clinically without using a standardized instrument. CONCLUSIONS: Neurodegeneration or axonal remodeling may be involved in the pathogenesis of melancholic depression.
BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests that neurodegeneration may be involved in the pathophysiology of major depression. The astroglial peptide S-100B was shown to be increased in many diseases causing neuronal cell damage or degeneration. METHOD:S-100B plasma levels were determined in 28 patients with major depression and 28 matched healthy controls using an immunofluorometric sandwich assay. RESULTS:Patients suffering from melancholic depression showed significantly increased S-100B levels compared to healthy controls while non-melancholic patients demonstrated normal levels. LIMITATIONS: Medication of patients varied. The differentiation between melancholic and non-melancholic patients was performed clinically without using a standardized instrument. CONCLUSIONS:Neurodegeneration or axonal remodeling may be involved in the pathogenesis of melancholic depression.
Authors: R Bernard; I A Kerman; R C Thompson; E G Jones; W E Bunney; J D Barchas; A F Schatzberg; R M Myers; H Akil; S J Watson Journal: Mol Psychiatry Date: 2010-04-13 Impact factor: 15.992
Authors: Jennifer L Warner-Schmidt; Marc Flajolet; Abigail Maller; Emily Y Chen; Hongshi Qi; Per Svenningsson; Paul Greengard Journal: J Neurosci Date: 2009-02-11 Impact factor: 6.167