scholarly journals Blood Cell Counts and Blood Cell Ratios as Non-Specific Major Depressive Disorder Biomarkers

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-29
Author(s):  
M Krivosova ◽  
P Kusnir ◽  
M Kertys ◽  
M Mestanik ◽  
I Tonhajzerova ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: With an increasing prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) in population there is a particular interest in finding a suitable biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of the disease. Many studies have shown that MDD is linked to a systemic inflammatory process, so blood elements counts and ratios have been suggested to be promising indicators in the management and effectiveness of the disease therapy. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare absolute and relative white blood cells counts and to search for any changes in their ratios before and after the therapy of the patients. Methods: Our study included 36 patients who were admitted to hospital with either a new diagnosis or a recurrent episode of MDD and who were treated by a standard protocol. The peripheral blood samples were collected both at admission and at hospital discharge. Absolute white blood cell count and counts of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, platelets, as well as mean platelet volume, red blood cell distribution width, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, and monocyte/lymphocyte ratio before and after hospitalization (14–29 days) were evaluated and compared. The test of normality was performed and, accordingly, single t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test was used for data analysis. Results: There were no significant differences between any blood cell ratios in blood samples before and after stay in hospital and appropriate treatment. Monocyte count was significantly higher in MDD patients after hospital discharge (p=0.007), there was a significantly higher difference in discharged patients suffering from MDD recurrent episode (F.33) compared to newly diagnosed MDD (F.32) patients (p=0.010). In patients treated with venlafaxine (N=23) there was a significant increase in monocyte/lymphocyte ratio observed at the end of hospitalization (p=0.018). Conclusions: The pharmacotherapy and additive treatment of the patients suffering from MDD led only to mild changes in blood cells counts. As our study included only a small number of patients, and blood cell parameters and ratios were compared after a relatively short duration of treatment, further and more detailed research is needed for final conclusions.

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bun-Hee Lee ◽  
Jin-Pyo Hong ◽  
Jung-A Hwang ◽  
Kyoung-Sae Na ◽  
Won-Joong Kim ◽  
...  

BackgroundSome clinical studies have reported reduced peripheral glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) level in elderly patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). We verified whether a reduction in plasma GDNF level was associated with MDD.MethodPlasma GDNF level was measured in 23 healthy control subjects and 23 MDD patients before and after 6 weeks of treatment.ResultsPlasma GDNF level in MDD patients at baseline did not differ from that in healthy controls. Plasma GDNF in MDD patients did not differ significantly from baseline to the end of treatment. GDNF level was significantly lower in recurrent-episode MDD patients than in first-episode patients before and after treatment.ConclusionsOur findings revealed significantly lower plasma GDNF level in recurrent-episode MDD patients, although plasma GDNF levels in MDD patients and healthy controls did not differ significantly. The discrepancy between our study and previous studies might arise from differences in the recurrence of depression or the ages of the MDD patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Wainberg ◽  
Stefan Kloiber ◽  
Breno Diniz ◽  
Roger S. McIntyre ◽  
Daniel Felsky ◽  
...  

AbstractPrevention of major depressive disorder (MDD) is a public health priority. Identifying biomarkers of underlying biological processes that contribute to MDD onset may help address this public health need. This prospective cohort study encompassed 383,131 white British participants from the UK Biobank with no prior history of MDD, with replication in 50,759 participants of other ancestries. Leveraging linked inpatient and primary care records, we computed adjusted odds ratios for 5-year MDD incidence among individuals with values below or above the 95% confidence interval (<2.5th or >97.5th percentile) on each of 57 laboratory measures. Sensitivity analyses were performed across multiple percentile thresholds and in comparison to established reference ranges. We found that indicators of liver dysfunction were associated with increased 5-year MDD incidence (even after correction for alcohol use and body mass index): elevated alanine aminotransferase (AOR = 1.35, 95% confidence interval [1.16, 1.58]), aspartate aminotransferase (AOR = 1.39 [1.19, 1.62]), and gamma glutamyltransferase (AOR = 1.52 [1.31, 1.76]) as well as low albumin (AOR = 1.28 [1.09, 1.50]). Similar observations were made with respect to endocrine dysregulation, specifically low insulin-like growth factor 1 (AOR = 1.34 [1.16, 1.55]), low testosterone among males (AOR = 1.60 [1.27, 2.00]), and elevated glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C; AOR = 1.23 [1.05, 1.43]). Markers of renal impairment (i.e. elevated cystatin C, phosphate, and urea) and indicators of anemia and macrocytosis (i.e. red blood cell enlargement) were also associated with MDD incidence. While some immune markers, like elevated white blood cell and neutrophil count, were associated with MDD (AOR = 1.23 [1.07, 1.42]), others, like elevated C-reactive protein, were not (AOR = 1.04 [0.89, 1.22]). The 30 significant associations validated as a group in the multi-ancestry replication cohort (Wilcoxon p = 0.0005), with a median AOR of 1.235. Importantly, all 30 significant associations with extreme laboratory test results were directionally consistent with an increased MDD risk. In sum, markers of liver and kidney dysfunction, growth hormone and testosterone deficiency, innate immunity, anemia, macrocytosis, and insulin resistance were associated with MDD incidence in a large community-based cohort. Our results support a contributory role of diverse biological processes to MDD onset.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Salvetat ◽  
Fabrice Chimienti ◽  
Christopher Cayzac ◽  
Benjamin Dubuc ◽  
Francisco Checa-Robles ◽  
...  

AbstractMental health issues, including major depressive disorder, which can lead to suicidal behavior, are considered by the World Health Organization as a major threat to global health. Alterations in neurotransmitter signaling, e.g., serotonin and glutamate, or inflammatory response have been linked to both MDD and suicide. Phosphodiesterase 8A (PDE8A) gene expression is significantly decreased in the temporal cortex of major depressive disorder (MDD) patients. PDE8A specifically hydrolyzes adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), which is a key second messenger involved in inflammation, cognition, and chronic antidepressant treatment. Moreover, alterations of RNA editing in PDE8A mRNA has been described in the brain of depressed suicide decedents. Here, we investigated PDE8A A-to-I RNA editing-related modifications in whole blood of depressed patients and suicide attempters compared to age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls. We report significant alterations of RNA editing of PDE8A in the blood of depressed patients and suicide attempters with major depression, for which the suicide attempt took place during the last month before sample collection. The reported RNA editing modifications in whole blood were similar to the changes observed in the brain of suicide decedents. Furthermore, analysis and combinations of different edited isoforms allowed us to discriminate between suicide attempters and control groups. Altogether, our results identify PDE8A as an immune response-related marker whose RNA editing modifications translate from brain to blood, suggesting that monitoring RNA editing in PDE8A in blood samples could help to evaluate depressive state and suicide risk.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S529-S529
Author(s):  
B. Grancini ◽  
B. Dell’Osso ◽  
L. Cremaschi ◽  
F. De Cagna ◽  
B. Benatti ◽  
...  

IntroductionMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent burdensome disease, which frequently remains untreated. The duration of untreated illness (DUI) is modifiable parameter and a valid predictor of outcome. Previous investigation in patients with MDD revealed a DUI of different years, while recent reports have documented a reduction of DUI across time, in patients with different psychiatric disorders.Objectives/aimsThe present study was aimed to investigate potential differences in terms of DUI and related variables in patients with MDD across time.MethodsAn overall sample of 188 patients with MDD was divided in two subgroups on the basis of their epoch of onset (onset before and after year 2000). DUI and other onset-related variables were assessed through a specific questionnaire and compared between the two subgroups.ResultsThe whole sample showed a mean DUI of approximately 4.5 years, with a lower value in patients with more recent onset compared to the other subgroup (27.1 ± 42.6 vs. 75.8 ± 105.2 months, P < .05). Moreover, patients with onset after 2000 reported higher rates of onset-related stressful events and lower ones for benzodiazepines prescription (65% vs. 81%; P = 0.02; 47% vs. 30%; P = 0.02).ConclusionsThe comparison of groups with different epochs of onset showed a significant reduction in terms of DUI and benzodiazepines prescription, and a higher rate of onset-related stressful events in patients with a more recent onset. Reported findings are of epidemiologic and clinical relevance in order to evaluate progress and developments in the diagnostic and therapeutic pathways of MDD in Italian and other countries.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2020 ◽  
pp. oemed-2020-106660
Author(s):  
Christian Hakulinen ◽  
Petri Böckerman ◽  
Laura Pulkki-Råback ◽  
Marianna Virtanen ◽  
Marko Elovainio

ObjectivesTo examine employment and earnings trajectories before and after the first sickness absence period due to major depressive disorder (MDD).MethodsAll individuals (n=158 813) in Finland who had a first sickness absence period (lasting longer than 9 days) due to MDD between 2005 and 2015 were matched with one randomly selected individual of the same age and gender with no history of MDD. Employment status and earnings were measured using register-based data annually from 2005 to 2015. Generalised estimating equations were used to examine the trajectories of employment and earnings before and after MDD diagnosis in men and women separately.ResultsSickness absence due to MDD was associated with increased probability of non-employment during and after the year of the first sickness absence period. In men, but not in women, the probability of being employed was lower 5 years before the sickness absence period due to MDD. When compared with the individuals in the control group, men had around 34% and women 15% lower earnings 1 year, and 40% and 23%, respectively, 5 years, after the first sickness absence period due to MDD. More severe MDD and longer duration of sickness absence period were associated with lower probability of being employed.ConclusionsSickness absence due to MDD was associated with considerable reduction in employment and earnings losses. For men and individuals with more severe MDD, this reduction was before the first sickness period. This supports a reciprocal association between employment and earnings with MDD.


Epigenomics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (19) ◽  
pp. 1725-1738
Author(s):  
Zhifen Liu ◽  
Xinrong Li ◽  
Chen Chen ◽  
Ning Sun ◽  
Yanfang Wang ◽  
...  

Aim: To identify lncRNAs targeting GSK3β in MDD. Materials & methods: The levels of GSK3β and its three targeting lncRNAs (gsk3β antisense AS1, AS2 and AS3) were detected in 52 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) before and after 8 weeks of escitalopram treatment. The functional study was evaluated using the silence of lncR-gsk3βAS2/3. The correlation between lncRNA-gsk3β and 89 MDD patients was analyzed. Human neuron progenitor cells were used to investigate the functional role of lncRNA-gsk3β in MDD. Results: All three lncRNAs were downregulated in MDD patients but upregulated after treatment. Inhibition of gsk3βAS2/3 reduced GSK3β expression and its phosphorylation levels in the neuron progenitor cells. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that lncRNA-gsk3βAS3 regulates GSK3β activity in MDD and has potential as a novel therapeutic target.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (07) ◽  
pp. 1950005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinping Xu ◽  
Jiaojian Wang ◽  
Tongjian Bai ◽  
Xiaodong Zhang ◽  
Tian Li ◽  
...  

Although electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the most effective treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD), the mechanism underlying the therapeutic efficacy and side effects of ECT remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated alterations in the cortical morphological measurements including cortical thickness (CT), surface area (SA), and local gyrification index (LGI) in 23 MDD patients before and after ECT. Furthermore, multivariate pattern analysis using linear support vector machine (SVM) was applied to investigate whether the changed morphological measurements can be effective indicators for therapeutic efficacy of ECT. Surface-based morphometry (SBM) analysis found significantly increased vertex-wise and regional cortical thickness (CT) and surface area (SA) in widespread regions, mainly located in the left insula (INS) and left fusiform gyrus, as well as hypergyrification in the left middle temporal gyrus (MTG) in MDD patients after ECT. Partial correlational analyses identified associations between the morphological properties and depressive symptom scores and impaired memory scores. Moreover, SVM result showed that the changed morphological measurements were effective to classify the MDD patients before and after ECT. Our findings suggested that ECT may enhance cortical neuroplasticity to facilitate neurogenesis to remit depressive symptoms and to impair delayed memory. These findings indicated that the cortical morphometry is a good index for therapeutic efficacy of ECT.


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