Neurotrophic factor S100beta in major depression

Disturbances in the serotonergic system are considered to be implicated in the pathophysiology of depressive disorders. The possible role of the neuro trophic factor S100 beta, which is suspected to regulate regeneration of se rotonergic synapses, has not been investigated in depressive disorders. The S100beta concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid was measured in 11 patie nts with the current diagnosis of mild or moderate depressive episodes (DSM -IV) and in 11 matched control patients. Using the t test for paired sample s, the presence of a depressive episode was significantly associated with a n elevation of the cerebrospinal fluid concentration of S100beta (t = 2.6, d.f. = 10, p = 0.024). Replications of this finding in severely depressed p atients are necessary to confirm the association between neurotrophic facto r S100beta and depressive disorders. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel .