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Plasma BDNF and tPA are associated with late‐onset geriatric depression
Author(s) -
Shi Yanyan,
You Jiayong,
Yuan Yonggui,
Zhang Xiangrong,
Li Hailin,
Hou Gang
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
psychiatry and clinical neurosciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.609
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1440-1819
pISSN - 1323-1316
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1819.2010.02074.x
Subject(s) - medicine , brain derived neurotrophic factor , depression (economics) , endocrinology , antidepressant , neurotrophic factors , pathogenesis , major depressive disorder , rating scale , psychology , hippocampus , developmental psychology , receptor , amygdala , economics , macroeconomics
Aims: Studies in the recent decade have shown that brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may play an important role in the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder (MDD). Tissue‐type plasminogen activator (tPA) has been implicated in the control of the direction of BDNF action. The aim of the study was therefore to investigate the changes of BDNF/tPA levels and their clinical meanings in geriatric depression. Methods: Plasma BDNF and tPA levels were measured in late‐onset geriatric depression (LGD) before treatment ( n = 24) and after 6 weeks of antidepressant treatment ( n = 24) compared with control subjects ( n = 30) using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The severity of depression was assessed with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Results: Baseline plasma BDNF and tPA levels were significantly lower in LGD patients compared to controls ( P = 0.037 and P = 0.000, respectively). There was a heightening tendency of plasma BDNF level after treatment. Conclusions: Plasma BDNF and tPA levels are associated with LGD. The complex mechanism of BDNF and tPA in LGD should be further explored in future studies.