Original scientific paper

SERUM BRAIN-DERIVED NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR (BDNF): THE SEVERITY AND SYMPTOMATIC DIMENSIONS OF DEPRESSION

Saša Jevtović orcid.org/0000-0003-3837-4705 ; Clinic for Psychological Medicine, University of Zagreb Medical School, Zagreb, Croatia
Dalibor Karlović ; Psychiatric Clinic, University Hospital Centre „Sestre milosrdnice“, Zagreb, Croatia
Alma Mihaljević-Peleš ; Psychiatric Clinic, University of Zagreb Medical School, Zagreb, Croatia
Vesna Šerić ; Neurology Clinic, University Hospital Centre „Sestre milosrdnice“, Zagreb, Croatia
Nada Vrkić ; Clinical Institute for Chemistry, University Hospital Centre „Sestre milosrdnice“, Zagreb, Croatia
Nenad Jakšić ; Psychiatric Clinic, University of Zagreb Medical School, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare the concentration of serum Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in
patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) considering the severity of MDD episode defined by the Hamilton rating
scale for depression (HAMD-17). The other aim was to research the connection between serum BDNF and the symptomatic
dimensions of MDD.
Subjects and methods: The study includes 139 participants with major depressive disorder (MDD). Diagnosis of MDD was set
by DSM-IV-TR criteria. The severity of MDD was estimated with HAM-D-17 in the manner that mild episode was diagnosed if the
score on HAMD-17 was up to 18, moderately severe 18-25 and severe over 25. Concentration of BDNF was determined by the
ELISA method.
Results: This research could not find a difference in BDNF concentration considering the severity of the depressive disorder in
groups suffering from mild, moderately severe and severe episodes of MDD (F=1.816; p=0.169). Factor analysis of HAMD-17
extracted four dimensions of depressive symptoms. None of the symptomatic dimensions was significantly related to BDNF
concentration.
Conclusion: Results of this study indicate that serum BDNF levels are not related to the severity of depression and its specific
symptomatic dimensions. These findings support the idea of a complex relationship between BDNF concentration at the periphery
and in the CNS.

Keywords

brain derived neurotrophic factor; BDNF; depression; MDD; biological marker

Hrčak ID:

76845

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/76845

Publication date:

31.12.2011.

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