MK4MDD

Genetic/Epigenetic Locus Search Cross Data Search

Study Report

Reference

Citation	Eker, 2010 PubMed
Full Info	Eker, C., Kitis, O., Taneli, F., Eker, O.D., Ozan, E., Yucel, K., Coburn, K. and Gonul, A.S. (2010) Correlation of serum BDNF levels with hippocampal volumes in first episode, medication-free depressed patients. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci, 260, 527-533.

Study

Hypothesis or Background	The hippocampus seems to be affected in MDD, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has positive effects on neurogenesis within the hippocampus. Although there are inconsistencies among study results, a smaller hippocampal volume in depressed patients is thought to be related to the pathophysiology of the disease.
Sample Information	first-episode MDD patients (18 female, 7 male; mean age = 32.1 +/- 9.3) and healthy controls (17 female, 5 male; mean age = 29.7 +/- 6.4)
Method Detail	We looked at the correlation between serum BDNF (sBDNF) levels and hippocampal volumes (HCV) of first-episode MDD patients and healthy controls. Region of interest analysis was conducted on the images acquired via MRI.
Method Keywords	magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); blood analysis
Result	sBDNF levels and HCV correlated only in the MDD group (right: r = 0.46, P = 0.02; left: r = 0.47, P = 0.02); however, HCV did not differ between MDD patients and healthy controls (right: F = 2.45, df = 1.46, P > 0.05; left: F = 0.05, df = 1.46, P > 0.05)
Conclusions	BDNF may be a factor underlying HCV differences between MDD and healthy control subjects, which become apparent as severe and multiple episodes are experienced.

Relationships reported by Eker, 2010