Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic-factor (BDNF), the most abundant of the neurotrophins in the brain, has been implicated in both major depression and cognitive function. This study examines the association between the BDNF-gene Val66Met polymorphism and depression susceptibility and severity, age-of-onset, cognitive function and suicidal attempt history in an elderly Chinese sample population. We genotyped the BDNF-gene Val66Met polymorphism in 110 elderly inpatients diagnosed with major depression and 171 age- and sex-similar control subjects. All patients were assessed with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) for depression severity and the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) for cognitive function after admission. Suicide attempt history and age-of-onset of depression were evaluated by interview and medical record. The BDNF Val66Met genotype distribution was significantly different between depressed patients and control subjects (P = 0.003) and there was a significant excess of Met allele in the depressed patients compared to the control group (P = 0.001). The BDNF polymorphism did not affect age-of-onset, depression severity, cognitive function or suicidal attempt history. The results suggest that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is a relevant risk factor for geriatric depression.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1834-1837 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Neurobiology of Aging |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2006 |
Keywords
- Age-of-onset
- Brain-derived neurotrophic-factor
- Cognition
- Geriatric depression
- Polymorphism
- Suicide