Evaluation of Serum Glial Cell Line-derived Neurotrophic Factor in Bangladeshi Major Depressive Disorder Patients.

Rajesh Das,Md Rabiul Islam,Tanzan Zahan,Sumaiya Huque,Sayeeda Fahmee Chowdhury,Md Prova Zaman Emon

doi:10.7759/cureus.6081

Abstract

BackgroundMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is a global health burden in the 21st century because of its high rate of prevalence linked with disability, morbidity, and mortality. The actual etiology behind the development of MDD is not understood yet. Various genetic, physiological, biological and environmental factors have been predicted to be involved. As there is currently no sufficient laboratory test for the diagnosis of MDD, it is expected that this investigation can assist in better diagnosis and management of MDD. The present study aimed to evaluate glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in MDD patients compared to healthy controls (HCs).Materials and methodsThis case-control study was conducted with 167 participants including 85 MDD patients and 82 age- and sex-matched HCs. A qualified psychiatrist evaluated all the study participants according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5). The severity of depression was measured by the Hamilton depression rating scale (Ham-D) and the participants with Ham-D score ≥ 7 were considered as cases. Serum GDNF levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits (Boster Bio, Pleasanton, CA, USA).ResultsMDD patients and HCs were similar in terms of their socio-demographic profiles. Serum GDNF was found to have no significant alterations in MDD patients when compared to HCs (p > 0.05). Moreover, no significant positive or negative correlation was found between serum levels of GDNF and Ham-D scores in MDD patients.ConclusionsIt can be predicted from the above findings that there is no significant relation between serum GDNF levels and the pathophysiology of depression. This study should be treated as preliminary and further studies with a more homogeneous and larger study population are required to establish these findings.

Highlights

Depressive disorders are common mental disorders that can occur as early as three years of age and is prevalent across the entire world [1]
Serum glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) was found to have no significant alterations in Major depressive disorder (MDD) patients when compared to healthy controls (HCs) (p > 0.05)
No significant positive or negative correlation was found between serum levels of GDNF and Hamilton depression rating scale (Ham-D) scores in MDD patients

Summary

Introduction

Depressive disorders are common mental disorders that can occur as early as three years of age and is prevalent across the entire world [1]. Previous global burden of disease (GBD) studies in 1990 noted depressive disorders as a leading cause of burden in comparison to other recognized physical disorders [2]. In GBD 2000, depressive disorders were said to be the third leading cause of burden after lower respiratory infections and diarrheal diseases. It was mentioned as the leading cause of disability, responsible for 13.4% and 8.3% years of life lived with disability (YLDs) in women and men, respectively [3]. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent, heterogeneous illness characterized by depressed mood, anhedonia, and altered cognitive function with an unclear cause. The present study aimed to evaluate glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in MDD patients compared to healthy controls (HCs)

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Methods

Conclusion