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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Reduced Serum Nerve Growth Factor in Patients With Late-Life Depression

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Author(s):
Diniz, Breno S. [1, 2] ; Teixeira, Antonio L. [3, 4] ; Machado-Vieira, Rodrigo [1] ; Talib, Leda L. [1] ; Gattaz, Wagner F. [1] ; Forienza, Orestes V. [1]
Total Authors: 6
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Dept & Inst Psychiat, BR-05403010 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Dept Mental Hlth, Sch Med, Lab Neurosci LIM 27, Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil
[3] Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Grp Neuroimmunol, Lab Immunopharmacol, Inst Biol Sci, Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil
[4] Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Sch Med, Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY; v. 21, n. 5, p. 493-496, MAY 2013.
Web of Science Citations: 36
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. (Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2013; 21:493-496) (AU)

FAPESP's process: 09/52825-8 - Neurobiology of Alzheimer's disease: risk markers, prognosis and therapeutic response
Grantee:Wagner Farid Gattaz
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants