Exploring Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Cell Adhesion Molecules as Biomarkers for the Transdiagnostic Symptom Anhedonia in Alcohol Use Disorder and Comorbid Depression

Abstract

Background: Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and depressive disorder often co-exist and have a shared heritability. This study aimed to investigate Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and three Cell Adhesion Molecules (CAMs) as transdiagnostic biomarkers in AUD and depression co-morbidity. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, patients with AUD (n=22), AUD and depression (n=19), and healthy controls (n=20) were examined. Depression and anxiety severity were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. Anhedonia, alcohol use and dependence, craving, and social adaptation were assessed through self-report questionnaires. BDNF and CAM concentrations in peripheral serum were measured after overnight fasting using a Luminex assay. After controlling for age and gender, biomarker levels were compared across groups. The association between biomarker concentrations and symptom severity scales were explored using correlation and multiple regression analyses. Results: BDNF and Neuronal CAM were lower in patients with AUD with and without depression compared to healthy controls. No differences were observed for Vascular CAM-1 and Interstitial CAM-1. BDNF correlated negatively with anhedonia levels. BDNF, age and gender together explained 21% of variability in anhedonia levels. Conclusion: This pilot study suggests that peripheral levels of BDNF and NCAM might be reduced in AUD with and without comorbid mood disorder. Since low BDNF levels were

Alcohol Induced Depression: Clinical, Biological and Genetic Features

“…In contrast, Primary MD patients met more criteria related to anhedonia, loss of concentration and recurrent thoughts of death. Our results are not according to other studies and show that depressive co-morbidity in patients with AUD may thus be characterized by more pronounced levels of anhedonia, as compared to other symptom domains of depression [ 73 ]. Animal and human studies were the focus in the paper of anhedonia as a transdiagnostic symptom.…”

Analysis of Differentially Expressed Genes in the Dentate Gyrus and Anterior Cingulate Cortex in a Mouse Model of Depression

“…The DG is also affected by other biological processes that regulate neural structure and function, such as cell adhesion, chemical synaptic transmission, and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction. Some studies have shown that cell adhesion plays a vital role in depression-related behavior [ 48 – 50 ]. It is well documented that MDD is linked to excitation inhibition imbalance due to disrupted synaptic transmission [ 51 ].…”

Beta-Endorphin and Oxytocin in Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder and Comorbid Depression

“…Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) as derived from the Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale—Seasonal Affective Disorder version (SIGH-SAD) [ 29 , 30 ]. The other transdiagnostic symptom domains were assessed using Russian translations of commonly applied self-report questionnaires [ 31 ]. All self-report questionnaires were common Russian translations of the originals (verified by back translation into English).…”

“…The BDHI is a self-reporting questionnaire containing 75 points to estimate seven aspects of hostility: assault, indirect hostility, irritability, negativism, resentment, suspicion, and verbal hostility. Details on the other scales have been described previously [ 31 ].…”