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DURATION OF LAST DEPRESSIVE EPISODE MAY INFLUENCE SERUM BDNF LEVELS IN REMITTED PATIENTS WITH MAJOR DEPRESSION
Author(s) -
Takebayashi Naoko,
Maeshima Hitoshi,
Baba Hajime,
Nakano Yoshiyuki,
Satomura Emi,
Kita Yohei,
Namekawa Yuki,
Nomoto Hiroshi,
Suzuki Toshihito,
Arai Heii
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
depression and anxiety
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.634
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1520-6394
pISSN - 1091-4269
DOI - 10.1002/da.21933
Subject(s) - brain derived neurotrophic factor , depression (economics) , medicine , psychology , major depressive disorder , neurotrophic factors , endocrinology , psychiatry , cognition , receptor , economics , macroeconomics
Background Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor ( BDNF ) may have an important role in the pathophysiology of depression. Previous studies indicate that serum BDNF levels were lower in patients with depression and increased after treatment with antidepressants. However, results of studies on serum BDNF levels in remitted patients with depression have been inconsistent. The purpose of the present study was to determine which factors influence the alteration of serum BDNF levels in depression in the remitted state. Methods Serum BDNF levels were evaluated in 75 remitted inpatients with major depressive disorder ( MDD ) and 108 controls. Multiple regression analyses were conducted using serum BDNF levels as the dependent variable; and the number of episodes, H amilton R ating S cale for D epression score at admission, or duration of last depressive episode as independent variables. Results Serum BDNF levels were lower in remitted patients with MDD than in controls ( P < .001). Multiple regression analysis showed a significant effect between the duration of the last depressive episode and serum BDNF levels ( P < .022). Conclusions Serum BDNF levels in remitted patients with MDD did not recover to the level of healthy controls, and lower serum BDNF levels were influenced by a longer duration of last depressive episode. It is possible that persistent hippocampal reduction in remitted depression may be caused by lower BDNF levels associated with a longer duration of the last depressive episode.