The determination and clinical implications of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor level in depressive patients / 中国基层医药

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with depression and their correlation with age,gender,age of onset,illness course,depressive severity.Methods Serum BDNF levels in 91 depressive patients and 36 healthy controls were assayed by the ELISA method .The clinical char-acteristics were assessed by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression ( HAMD) .Results The serum BDNF levels in depressive patients were (24.38 ±6.27)μg/L,which was significantly lower than (31.44 ±10.72)μg/L in controls (t=3.708,P 0.05).Conclusion Serum BDNF levels in depressive patients was decreased and low levels of BDNF in serum may be a state characteristic for depression .