Abstract
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.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 493-496 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry |
Volume | 21 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 2013 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Latelife depression
- Nerve growth factor
- Neurotrophins
- Physiopathology
- State marker
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geriatrics and Gerontology
- Psychiatry and Mental health