Blood Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Major Depression: Do We Have a Translational Perspective?

Arosio, Beatrice; Guerini, Franca Rosa; Voshaar, Richard C. Oude; Aprahamian, Ivan

doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2021.626906

Cited by 75 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 169 publications

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“…Aside from these broadly neuroprotective effects, statins may also promote hippocampal neuroplasticity, especially implicated in the pathophysiology of depression and response to antidepressant treatment ( 55 ), through the increase of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) via direct ( 53 , 56 ) and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) ( 57 – 59 ) and agmatine/imidazoline ( 60 ) pathways. However, higher hippocampal BDNF has also been associated to increased anxious behaviour in rats treated with statins ( 61 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Statins in Depression: An Evidence-Based Overview of Mechanisms and Clinical Studies

et al. 2021

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Background: Depression is a leading cause of disability, burdened by high levels of non-response to conventional antidepressants. Novel therapeutic strategies targeting non-monoaminergic pathways are sorely needed. The widely available and safe statins have several putative mechanisms of action, especially anti-inflammatory, which make them ideal candidates for repurposing in the treatment of depression. A large number of articles has been published on this topic. The aim of this study is to assess this literature according to evidence-based medicine principles to inform clinical practise and research.Methods: We performed a systematic review of the electronic databases MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Web of Science, CINAHL, and ClinicalTrials.gov, and an unstructured Google Scholar and manual search, until the 9th of April 2021, for all types of clinical studies assessing the effects of statins in depression.Results: Seventy-two studies were retrieved that investigated the effects of statins on the risk of developing depression or on depressive symptoms in both depressed and non-depressed populations. Fifteen studies specifically addressed the effects of statins on inflammatory-related symptoms of anhedonia, psychomotor retardation, anxiety, and sleep disturbances in depression. Most studies suggested a positive effect of statins on the occurrence and severity of depression, with fewer studies showing no effect, while a minority indicated some negative effects.Limitations: We provide a narrative report on all the included studies but did not perform any quantitative analysis, which limits the strength of our conclusions.Conclusions: Robust evidence indicates that statins are unlikely to lead to depressive symptoms in the general population. Promising data suggest a potential role for statins in the treatment of depression. Further clinical studies are needed, especially in specific subgroups of patients identified by pre-treatment assessments of inflammatory and lipid profiles.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Statins in Depression: An Evidence-Based Overview of Mechanisms and Clinical Studies

et al. 2021

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“…As mentioned earlier, the volume of the hippocampus is reduced in depressed patients [ 69 ]. The hippocampus is the part of the brain structure and limbic system that is responsible for learning and memory.…”

Section: Neurobiological Mechanisms Of Depression and Bdnfmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…In patients with depression the DNA methylation of BDNF and negative relationship between serum BDNF level and miR-132/miR-182 levels are observed. An increase of miR-30e, miR-132, miR-185, and miR-212 in serum level was also observed in depressed patients [ 69 ].…”

Section: Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factormentioning

confidence: 99%

BDNF Impact on Biological Markers of Depression—Role of Physical Exercise and Training

Murawska-Ciałowicz

Ciałowicz

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et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Depression is the most common and devastating psychiatric disorder in the world. Its symptoms, especially during the pandemic, are observed in all age groups. Exercise training (ET) is well known as a non-pharmacological strategy to alleviate clinical depression. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is one of the biological factors whose expression and secretion are intensified in response to ET. BDNF is also secreted by contracted skeletal muscle that likely exerts para-, auto- and endocrine effects, supporting the crosstalk between skeletal muscle and other distant organs/tissues, such as the nervous system. This finding suggests that they communicate and work together to induce improvements on mood, cognition, and learning processes as BDNF is the main player in the neurogenesis, growth, and survival of neurons. Therefore, BDNF has been recognized as a therapeutic factor in clinical depression, especially in response to ET. The underlying mechanisms through which ET impacts depression are varied. The aim of this review was to provide information of the biological markers of depression such as monoamines, tryptophan, endocannabinoids, markers of inflammatory processes (oxidative stress and cytokines) stress and sex hormones and their relationship to BDNF. In addition, we reviewed the effects of ET on BNDF expression and how it impacts depression as well as the potential mechanisms mediating this process, providing a better understanding of underlying ET-related mechanisms in depression.

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“…The ECS also modulates inflammation: CB1 activation decreases inflammation through astrocytes, and CB2 through microglia (34). Importantly, these systems are also involved in the pathophysiology of depression (35)(36)(37).…”

Section: Potential Mechanisms Underlying the Relationship Between Cannabis And Depressionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Down and High: Reflections Regarding Depression and Cannabis

et al. 2021

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In light of the recent changes in the legal status of cannabis in Canada, the understanding of the potential impact of the use of cannabis by individuals suffering from depression is increasingly considered as being important. It is fundamental that we look into the existing literature to examine the influence of cannabis on psychiatric conditions, including mood disorders. In this article, we will explore the relationship that exists between depression and cannabis. We will examine the impact of cannabis on the onset and course of depression, and its treatment. We have undertaken a wide-ranging review of the literature in order to address these questions. The evidence from longitudinal studies suggest that there is a bidirectional relationship between cannabis use and depression, such that cannabis use increases the risk for depression and vice-versa. This risk is possibly higher in heavy users having initiated their consumption in early adolescence. Clinical evidence also suggests that cannabis use is associated with a worse prognosis in individuals with major depressive disorder. The link with suicide remains controversial. Moreover, there is insufficient data to determine the impact of cannabis use on cognition in individuals with major depression disorder. Preliminary evidence suggesting that the endogenous cannabinoid system is involved in the pathophysiology of depression. This will need to be confirmed in future positron emission tomography studies. Randomized controlled trials are needed to investigate the potential efficacy of motivational interviewing and/or cognitive behavioral therapy for the treatment of cannabis use disorder in individuals with major depressive major disorder. Finally, although there is preclinical evidence suggesting that cannabidiol has antidepressant properties, randomized controlled trials will need to properly investigate this possibility in humans.

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Blood Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Major Depression: Do We Have a Translational Perspective?

Cited by 75 publications

References 169 publications

Statins in Depression: An Evidence-Based Overview of Mechanisms and Clinical Studies

Statins in Depression: An Evidence-Based Overview of Mechanisms and Clinical Studies

BDNF Impact on Biological Markers of Depression—Role of Physical Exercise and Training

Down and High: Reflections Regarding Depression and Cannabis

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