DRUG-FREE DEPRESSED PATIENTS SHOW DECREASED PLASMA AND SERUM BRAIN-DERIVED NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR (BDNF) LEVELS

Object: In the last decade, the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been hypothesized to be involved in the pathophysiology of major depression. The aim of this report was to evaluate serum and/or plasma BDNF levels in untreated depressed patients and to assess the ralationships with depressive symptoms. Method: Plasma ans serum BDNF levels were assayed in 15 drug-free depressed patients and in 15 healthy control subjects by means of a standardized ELISA method. The severity of depression was evaluated by means the Hamilto Rating scale for Depresion (HDRS) and the Montgomery-Asberg depression Rating scale (MADRS). Results: Patients serum and plasma BDNF levels were significantly lower then those foundol subjects. No relationships were deteted between severity of depressive symptoms and the biological measures. Conclusions: Untreated depressive patients seem to be characterized by reduced serum and plasma BDNF levels, as compared with control subjects. However, further studies are needed to clarify the exetent to which peripheral levels of BDNF reflect its activity in the central nervous system