INTRODUCTION: Nerve growth factor (NGF) is one of the most abundant neurotrophic factors in the central nervous system and has been involved in several neuropsychiatric disorders. METHODS: We recruited 77 age- and gender-matched elderly subjects (38 with late-life depression, 17 with previous major depressive episode, and 22 healthy subjects in the comparison group). Serum concentration of NGF was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: NGF levels were significantly reduced in the depressed patients (p = 0.002) as compared with healthy elderly controls. Elderly control subjects with previous depressive episode also showed a significant reduction in NGF levels as compared with controls (p <0.01); NGF levels were similar between patients with current depressive episode and previous depressive episode (p = 0.2). CONCLUSION: The present findings provide additional evidence to the relevance of reduced neurotrophic support in the pathophysiology of late-life depression. Also, reduced serum NGF level may be a state marker of depression in elderly subjects.
INTRODUCTION:Nerve growth factor (NGF) is one of the most abundant neurotrophic factors in the central nervous system and has been involved in several neuropsychiatric disorders. METHODS: We recruited 77 age- and gender-matched elderly subjects (38 with late-life depression, 17 with previous major depressive episode, and 22 healthy subjects in the comparison group). Serum concentration of NGF was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS:NGF levels were significantly reduced in the depressedpatients (p = 0.002) as compared with healthy elderly controls. Elderly control subjects with previous depressive episode also showed a significant reduction in NGF levels as compared with controls (p <0.01); NGF levels were similar between patients with current depressive episode and previous depressive episode (p = 0.2). CONCLUSION: The present findings provide additional evidence to the relevance of reduced neurotrophic support in the pathophysiology of late-life depression. Also, reduced serum NGF level may be a state marker of depression in elderly subjects.
Authors: Breno S Diniz; Antonio L Teixeira; Rodrigo Machado-Vieira; Leda L Talib; Marcia Radanovic; Wagner F Gattaz; Orestes V Forlenza Journal: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Date: 2014-08-22 Impact factor: 4.077
Authors: Breno S Diniz; Charles F Reynolds; Meryl A Butters; Mary Amanda Dew; Josélia O A Firmo; Maria Fernanda Lima-Costa; Erico Castro-Costa Journal: Depress Anxiety Date: 2013-12-18 Impact factor: 6.505
Authors: André R Brunoni; Rodrigo Machado-Vieira; Carlos A Zarate; Erica L M Vieira; Leandro Valiengo; Isabela M Benseñor; Paulo A Lotufo; Wagner F Gattaz; Antonio L Teixeira Journal: Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry Date: 2014-08-27 Impact factor: 5.067