Y. Kita and H. Baba contributed equally to this work.
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Serum amyloid β protein in young and elderly depression: a pilot study
Article first published online: 8 MAR 2010
DOI: 10.1111/j.1479-8301.2009.00293.x
© 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 Japanese Psychogeriatric Society
Additional Information
How to Cite
KITA, Y., BABA, H., MAESHIMA, H., NAKANO, Y., SUZUKI, T. and ARAI, H. (2009), Serum amyloid β protein in young and elderly depression: a pilot study. Psychogeriatrics, 9: 180–185. doi: 10.1111/j.1479-8301.2009.00293.x
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Y. Kita and H. Baba contributed equally to this work.
Publication History
- Issue published online: 8 MAR 2010
- Article first published online: 8 MAR 2010
- Received 18 May 2009; accepted 8 June 2009.
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- Alzheimer's;
- amyloid;
- Aβ;
- dementia;
- depression;
- serum
Abstract
Background: Depression may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent large cohort studies have also shown that a low plasma amyloid β (Aβ)-42 level combined with a high Aβ40 level increases the risk of developing AD, suggesting plasma Aβ42/40 ratio as useful for identifying risk of developing mild cognitive impairment and AD. Although several studies have examined Aβ levels in the peripheral blood of elderly individuals with depression, results have been inconsistent. Furthermore, no results have been described for younger depression.
Methods: Serum Aβ40, Aβ42 level and Aβ40/42 ratio were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 60 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 60 healthy controls. The results were analyzed in two age groups (young, <60 years; elderly, ≥60 years).
Results: Serum Aβ40 level was significantly higher in young MDD patients compared to young controls (P < 0.001), but it was not significantly deferent in the elderly group. Serum Aβ42 level did not differ significantly in both young and elderly groups. Aβ40/42 ratio was significantly higher in both young (P < 0.001) and elderly (P < 0.001) patients with MDD compared to controls.
Conclusions: Serum Aβ40/42 ratio was significantly higher in MDD patients than in controls, and this difference was seen for both elderly and young subjects. This may suggest that even young subjects with MDD undergo pathological changes in the very early stage of amyloid deposition.