Fang Y, et al. - The researchers aimed to investigate the roles of brain-specific brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF)-related miRNAs (miR-132 and miR-124) in non-treated and citalopram-treated patients with depression. They concluded that BDNF and miR-124 in plasma increased with depression and antidepressants. For depression status, plasma miR-132 could be an indication.

Methods

• A total of 45 treatment-free patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), 32 citalopram-treated patients with MDD, and 32 healthy control subjects were enrolled in this study.
• The researchers evaluated participants with the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA).
• They followed 14 treatment-free patients who were subsequently treated with citalopram for 2 months in a case-control sub-study.
• They used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect plasma BDNF.
• To quantify relative plasma miR-132 and miR-124 expression, real-time polymerase chain reaction was used.

Results

• Compared to the control group, patients with MDD had significantly higher HAMA and HAMD scores, with the highest scores in the treatment-free MDD group.
• In the treatment-free MDD group, plasma miR-132 was 2.4-fold that in the control group and significantly higher than that in the citalopram-treated MDD group.
• In the treatment-free MDD and citalopram-treated MDD groups, plasma miR-124 was 1.8-fold and 4-fold that in the control group, respectively.
• Plasma BDNF levels were increased in both MDD groups compared to the control group, but not significantly different between them.
• The researchers found a positive correlation between miR-132 and HAMD and HAMA scores, while no significant associations were identified for plasma miR-124 or BDNF.