Serum levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) in patients with major depression disorder and suicide risk

• Published in: Journal of affective disorders Vol. 184; pp. 245 - 248
• Main Authors: Wiener, Carolina David, de Mello Ferreira, Sharon, Pedrotti Moreira, Fernanda, Bittencourt, Guilherme, de Oliveira, Jacqueline Flores, Lopez Molina, Mariane, Jansen, Karen, de Mattos Souza, Luciano Dias, Rizzato Lara, Diogo, Portela, Luiz Valmor, da Silva, Ricardo Azevedo, Oses, Jean Pierre
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.09.2015
• Subjects: Adult; Biomarkers - blood; Case-Control Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depressive Disorder, Major - blood; Depressive Disorder, Major - psychology; Female; Humans; Major depressive disorder; Male; Nerve growth factor; Nerve Growth Factor - blood; Psychiatry; Risk; Suicide - psychology; Suicide risk; Young Adult; Suicide risk; Nerve growth factor; Major depressive disorder
• ISSN: 0165-0327; 1573-2517
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2015.05.067

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is an important member of the neurotrophins group and their involvement in the pathophysiology of major depression disorder (MDD) and suicide risk (SR) has been recently suggested. The aim of this study is to evaluate the changes in NGF serum levels in individuals with MDD and with or without risk of suicide, in subjects from a young population-based sample. This is a paired cross-sectional study nested in a population-based study. Individuals were rated for MDD and SR by a diagnostic interview – Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I). The total population of the sample was comprised of 141 subjects distributed in three groups: 47 healthy controls, 47 subjects with current depressive episode without SR (MDD) and 47 subjects with current depressive episode and with SR (MDD+SR). NGF serum levels were significantly reduced in the MDD and MDD+SR groups when compared with controls (p≤0.001). However, there were no differences in NGF levels between the MDD and MDD+SR groups (p=1.000). These results suggest that reduced NGF serum levels can be a possible biomarker of MDD. •NGF serum levels were significantly reduced in MDD compared with controls.•NGF serum levels were significantly reduced in MDD+SR compared with controls.•There was no difference in the NGF serum levels between the MDD and MDD+SR groups.