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Hashmi AN, Ahmed Dharejo R, Zubair UB, Khan N, Kashif I, Ajmal M, Taj R, Qamar R, Azam M. Association of dopamine β-hydroxylase polymorphism rs1611115 and serum levels with psychiatric disorders in Pakistani population. Int J Neurosci 2024; 134:551-559. [PMID: 36120985 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2022.2126774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
AIM Dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH) is a copper-containing enzyme that has an important role in maintaining the cellular homeostasis between the two neurotransmitters, dopamine (DA) and nor-adrenaline (NA). DBH functional polymorphisms are associated with multiple neuro-psychiatric conditions and are found to alter the DBH protein levels in serum affecting DBH enzymatic activity. The current study was conducted to determine the genetic and serum levels association of DBH rs1611115 functional polymorphism with major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SHZ) in the Pakistani population. METHODS In total n = 1097 subjects including MDD (n = 427), BD (n = 204), SHZ (n = 134) and healthy controls (n = 332), were screened for the functional polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Univariate logistic regression analysis was applied and the results were adjusted for age and sex. The DBH levels in serum were determined through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the Mann Whitney U test was applied. RESULTS The minor allele (-1021 C > T) was found to be significantly associated with a higher risk of developing BD and SHZ in both univariable and multivariable analyses. The overall total serum concentration of DBH was comparatively raised in MDD, however, in cross-comparison DBH serum levels were found markedly higher in CC homozygotes compared to TT homozygotes within the BD group. CONCLUSION The present study suggested a significant association of DBH rs1611115 with BD and SHZ and also the effect of rs1611115 on DBH serum levels in MDD and BD for the first time in the Pakistani population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisha Nasir Hashmi
- Translational Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Raees Ahmed Dharejo
- Department of Psychiatry, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan
- WAPDA Administrative Staff College, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Usama Bin Zubair
- Department of Psychiatry, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Netasha Khan
- Translational Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Iqra Kashif
- Translational Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ajmal
- Translational Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Rizwan Taj
- Department of Psychiatry, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Raheel Qamar
- Pakistan Academy of Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Science and Technology Sector, ICESCO, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Maleeha Azam
- Translational Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
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Norkeviciene A, Gocentiene R, Sestokaite A, Sabaliauskaite R, Dabkeviciene D, Jarmalaite S, Bulotiene G. A Systematic Review of Candidate Genes for Major Depression. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 58:medicina58020285. [PMID: 35208605 PMCID: PMC8875554 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58020285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The aim of this systematic review was to analyse which candidate genes were examined in genetic association studies and their association with major depressive disorder (MDD). Materials and Methods: We searched PUBMED for relevant studies published between 1 July 2012 and 31 March 2019, using combinations of keywords: “major depressive disorder” OR “major depression” AND “gene candidate”, “major depressive disorder” OR “major depression” AND “polymorphism”. Synthesis focused on assessing the likelihood of bias and investigating factors that may explain differences between the results of studies. For selected gene list after literature overview, functional enrichment analysis and gene ontology term enrichment analysis were conducted. Results: 141 studies were included in the qualitative review of gene association studies focusing on MDD. 86 studies declared significant results (p < 0.05) for 172 SNPs in 85 genes. The 13 SNPs associations were confirmed by at least two studies. The 18 genetic polymorphism associations were confirmed in both the previous and this systematic analysis by at least one study. The majority of the studies (68.79 %) did not use or describe power analysis, which may have had an impact over the significance of their results. Almost a third of studies (N = 54) were conducted in Chinese Han population. Conclusion: Unfortunately, there is still insufficient data on the links between genes and depression. Despite the reported genetic associations, most studies were lacking in statistical power analysis, research samples were small, and most gene polymorphisms have been confirmed in only one study. Further genetic research with larger research samples is needed to discern whether the relationship is random or causal. Summations: This systematic review had summarized all reported genetic associations and has highlighted the genetic associations that have been replicated. Limitations: Unfortunately, most gene polymorphisms have been confirmed only once, so further studies are warranted for replicating these genetic associations. In addition, most studies included a small number of MDD cases that could be indicative for false positive. Considering that polymorphism loci and associations with MDD is also vastly dependent on interpersonal variation, extensive studies of gene interaction pathways could provide more answers to the complexity of MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrone Norkeviciene
- Clinic of Psychiatry, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, M. K. Ciurlionio Str. 21/27, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania; (A.N.); (R.G.)
| | - Romena Gocentiene
- Clinic of Psychiatry, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, M. K. Ciurlionio Str. 21/27, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania; (A.N.); (R.G.)
| | - Agne Sestokaite
- National Cancer Institute, Santariskiu Str. 1, LT-08660 Vilnius, Lithuania; (A.S.); (R.S.); (D.D.); (S.J.)
| | - Rasa Sabaliauskaite
- National Cancer Institute, Santariskiu Str. 1, LT-08660 Vilnius, Lithuania; (A.S.); (R.S.); (D.D.); (S.J.)
| | - Daiva Dabkeviciene
- National Cancer Institute, Santariskiu Str. 1, LT-08660 Vilnius, Lithuania; (A.S.); (R.S.); (D.D.); (S.J.)
| | - Sonata Jarmalaite
- National Cancer Institute, Santariskiu Str. 1, LT-08660 Vilnius, Lithuania; (A.S.); (R.S.); (D.D.); (S.J.)
| | - Giedre Bulotiene
- Clinic of Psychiatry, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, M. K. Ciurlionio Str. 21/27, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania; (A.N.); (R.G.)
- National Cancer Institute, Santariskiu Str. 1, LT-08660 Vilnius, Lithuania; (A.S.); (R.S.); (D.D.); (S.J.)
- Correspondence:
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Sun Z, Bo Q, Mao Z, Li F, He F, Pao C, Li W, He Y, Ma X, Wang C. Reduced Plasma Dopamine-β-Hydroxylase Activity Is Associated With the Severity of Bipolar Disorder: A Pilot Study. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:566091. [PMID: 33995135 PMCID: PMC8115127 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.566091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DβH) is an enzyme converting dopamine to norepinephrine, a key neurotransmitter in mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). Due to overlapping symptomology of unipolar and bipolar depression, the present study attempted to explorer if the plasma DβH activity could discriminate the depressive episodes of BD from MDD. The aim of this study was to compare the plasma DβH activity among MDD patients (n = 104), BD patients (n = 101), and healthy controls (n = 160). Clinical characteristics and cognitive function were assessed using the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Our data showed a lower plasma DβH activity in patients with BD, not MDD, than that in controls. For the BD patients, the plasma DβH activities were negatively correlated with HAM-D scores and HAM-A scores. However, there was no significant correlation between plasma DβH activity and severity of depressive symptoms in MDD patients. No significant correlation between DβH activities and cognitive assessments neither in BD nor in MDD patients. The present study provides evidence that BD is associated with decreased circulating DβH activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuoli Sun
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders and Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders Center of Schizophrenia, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qijing Bo
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders and Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders Center of Schizophrenia, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Mao
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders and Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders Center of Schizophrenia, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Li
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders and Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders Center of Schizophrenia, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Fan He
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders and Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders Center of Schizophrenia, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Christine Pao
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Wenbiao Li
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders and Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders Center of Schizophrenia, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi He
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders and Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders Center of Schizophrenia, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Ma
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders and Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders Center of Schizophrenia, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chuanyue Wang
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders and Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders Center of Schizophrenia, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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An Exploratory Pilot Study with Plasma Protein Signatures Associated with Response of Patients with Depression to Antidepressant Treatment for 10 Weeks. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8110455. [PMID: 33126421 PMCID: PMC7692261 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8110455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of global disability with a chronic and recurrent course. Recognition of biological markers that could predict and monitor response to drug treatment could personalize clinical decision-making, minimize unnecessary drug exposure, and achieve better outcomes. Four longitudinal plasma samples were collected from each of ten patients with MDD treated with antidepressants for 10 weeks. Plasma proteins were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively with a nanoflow LC−MS/MS technique. Of 1153 proteins identified in the 40 longitudinal plasma samples, 37 proteins were significantly associated with response/time and clustered into six according to time and response by the linear mixed model. Among them, three early-drug response markers (PHOX2B, SH3BGRL3, and YWHAE) detectable within one week were verified by liquid chromatography-multiple reaction monitoring/mass spectrometry (LC-MRM/MS) in the well-controlled 24 patients. In addition, 11 proteins correlated significantly with two or more psychiatric measurement indices. This pilot study might be useful in finding protein marker candidates that can monitor response to antidepressant treatment during follow-up visits within 10 weeks after the baseline visit.
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Vargas-Medrano J, Diaz-Pacheco V, Castaneda C, Miranda-Arango M, Longhurst MO, Martin SL, Ghumman U, Mangadu T, Chheda S, Thompson PM, Gadad BS. Psychological and neurobiological aspects of suicide in adolescents: Current outlooks. Brain Behav Immun Health 2020; 7:100124. [PMID: 32835300 PMCID: PMC7405877 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2020.100124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Suicidality is one of the leading causes of death among young adults in the United States and represents a significant health problem worldwide. The suicide rate among adolescents in the United States has increased dramatically in the latest years and has been accompanied by considerable changes in youth suicide, especially among young girls. Henceforth, we need a good understanding of the risk factors contributing to suicidal behavior in youth. An explanatory model for suicidal behavior that links clinical and psychological risk factors to the underlying neurobiological, neuropsychological abnormalities related to suicidal behavior might predict to help identify treatment options and have empirical value. Our explanatory model proposes that developmental, biological factors (genetics, proteomics, epigenetics, immunological) and psychological or clinical (childhood adversities) may have causal relevance to the changes associated with suicidal behavior. In this way, our model integrates findings from several perspectives in suicidality and attempts to explain the relationship between various neurobiological, genetic, and clinical observations in suicide research, offering a comprehensive hypothesis to facilitate understanding of this complex outcome. Unraveling the knowledge of the complex interplay of psychological, biological, sociobiological, and clinical risk factors is highly essential, concerning the development of effective prevention strategy plans for suicidal ideation and suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Vargas-Medrano
- Department of Psychiatry, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso, TX, 79905, USA
- Southwest Brain Bank, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso, TX, 79905, University of Texas, El Paso, USA
| | - Valeria Diaz-Pacheco
- Department of Psychiatry, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso, TX, 79905, USA
- Southwest Brain Bank, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso, TX, 79905, University of Texas, El Paso, USA
| | - Christopher Castaneda
- Department of Psychiatry, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso, TX, 79905, USA
| | - Manuel Miranda-Arango
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, TX, 79968, USA
| | - Melanie O Longhurst
- Department of Psychiatry, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso, TX, 79905, USA
| | - Sarah L. Martin
- Department of Psychiatry, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso, TX, 79905, USA
| | - Usman Ghumman
- Department of Psychiatry, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso, TX, 79905, USA
| | - Thenral Mangadu
- Minority AIDS Research Center, Department of Health Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, TX, 79968, USA
| | - Sadhana Chheda
- Department of Pediatrics, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso, TX, 79905, USA
| | - Peter M. Thompson
- Department of Psychiatry, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso, TX, 79905, USA
- Southwest Brain Bank, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso, TX, 79905, University of Texas, El Paso, USA
| | - Bharathi S. Gadad
- Department of Psychiatry, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso, TX, 79905, USA
- Southwest Brain Bank, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso, TX, 79905, University of Texas, El Paso, USA
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6
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Gonzalez‐Lopez E, Vrana KE. Dopamine beta‐hydroxylase and its genetic variants in human health and disease. J Neurochem 2019; 152:157-181. [DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kent E. Vrana
- Department of Pharmacology Penn State College of Medicine Hershey PA USA
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7
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Lee EH, Han PL. Reciprocal interactions across and within multiple levels of monoamine and cortico-limbic systems in stress-induced depression: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 101:13-31. [PMID: 30917923 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The monoamine hypothesis of depression, namely that the reduction in synaptic serotonin and dopamine levels causes depression, has prevailed in past decades. However, clinical and preclinical studies have identified various cortical and subcortical regions whose altered neural activities also regulate depressive-like behaviors, independently from the monoamine system. Our systematic review indicates that neural activities of specific brain regions and associated neural circuitries are adaptively altered after chronic stress in a specific direction, such that the neural activity in the infralimbic cortex, lateral habenula and amygdala is upregulated, whereas the neural activity in the prelimbic cortex, hippocampus and monoamine systems is downregulated. The altered neural activity dynamics between monoamine systems and cortico-limbic systems are reciprocally interwoven at multiple levels. Furthermore, depressive-like behaviors can be experimentally reversed by counteracting the altered neural activity of a specific neural circuitry at multiple brain regions, suggesting the importance of the reciprocally interwoven neural networks in regulating depressive-like behaviors. These results promise for reshaping altered neural activity dynamics as a therapeutic strategy for treating depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Hwa Lee
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Pyung-Lim Han
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Chemistry and Nano Science, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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8
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Yang Y, Ligthart L, Terwindt GM, Boomsma DI, Rodriguez-Acevedo AJ, Nyholt DR. Genetic epidemiology of migraine and depression. Cephalalgia 2016; 36:679-91. [DOI: 10.1177/0333102416638520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Migraine and major depressive disorder (commonly referred to as depression) are both common disorders with a significant impact on society. Studies in both clinical and community-based settings have demonstrated a strong relationship between migraine and depression. In addition to complicating the diagnosis, depression that is comorbid with migraine may lower treatment adherence, increase risk of medication overuse and is associated with migraine chronification, thus leading to higher direct and indirect costs and poorer health-related outcomes with increased disability. Aim The aim of this review is to summarise the current knowledge on the genetic epidemiology of migraine and depression and the possible biological mechanisms underlying their comorbidity. Methods We present a narrative review reporting on the current literature. Results and conclusions Epidemiological findings indicate that there is a bidirectional relationship between migraine and depression, with one disorder increasing the risk for the other and vice versa, suggesting shared biological mechanisms. Twin and family studies indicate that this bidirectional relationship can be explained, at least partly, by shared underlying genetically determined disease mechanisms. Although no genes have been robustly associated with the aetiology of both migraine and depression, genes from serotonergic, dopaminergic and GABAergic systems together with variants in the MTHFR and BDNF genes remain strong candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanhao Yang
- Statistical and Genomic Epidemiology Laboratory, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
| | - Lannie Ligthart
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University, The Netherlands
- EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Centre, The Netherlands
| | - Gisela M Terwindt
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, The Netherlands
| | - Dorret I Boomsma
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University, The Netherlands
| | - Astrid J Rodriguez-Acevedo
- Statistical and Genomic Epidemiology Laboratory, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
| | - Dale R Nyholt
- Statistical and Genomic Epidemiology Laboratory, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
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Young JJ, Silber T, Bruno D, Galatzer-Levy IR, Pomara N, Marmar CR. Is there Progress? An Overview of Selecting Biomarker Candidates for Major Depressive Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2016; 7:72. [PMID: 27199779 PMCID: PMC4843170 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2016.00072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) contributes to a significant worldwide disease burden, expected to be second only to heart disease by 2050. However, accurate diagnosis has been a historical weakness in clinical psychiatry. As a result, there is a demand for diagnostic modalities with greater objectivity that could improve on current psychiatric practice that relies mainly on self-reporting of symptoms and clinical interviews. Over the past two decades, literature on a growing number of putative biomarkers for MDD increasingly suggests that MDD patients have significantly different biological profiles compared to healthy controls. However, difficulty in elucidating their exact relationships within depression pathology renders individual markers inconsistent diagnostic tools. Consequently, further biomarker research could potentially improve our understanding of MDD pathophysiology as well as aid in interpreting response to treatment, narrow differential diagnoses, and help refine current MDD criteria. Representative of this, multiplex assays using multiple sources of biomarkers are reported to be more accurate options in comparison to individual markers that exhibit lower specificity and sensitivity, and are more prone to confounding factors. In the future, more sophisticated multiplex assays may hold promise for use in screening and diagnosing depression and determining clinical severity as an advance over relying solely on current subjective diagnostic criteria. A pervasive limitation in existing research is heterogeneity inherent in MDD studies, which impacts the validity of biomarker data. Additionally, small sample sizes of most studies limit statistical power. Yet, as the RDoC project evolves to decrease these limitations, and stronger studies with more generalizable data are developed, significant advances in the next decade are expected to yield important information in the development of MDD biomarkers for use in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Joseph Young
- Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, USA; Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Tim Silber
- Nathan Kline Institute , Orangeburg, NY , USA
| | - Davide Bruno
- Liverpool John Moores University , Liverpool , UK
| | | | - Nunzio Pomara
- Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, USA; New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; NYU Cohen Veterans Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Charles Raymond Marmar
- New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; NYU Cohen Veterans Center, New York, NY, USA
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