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Researchers at the University of South Australia (UniSA) have developed the world’s first test to accurately predict mood disorders in individuals by assessing the levels of specific proteins present in the brain.
Although associations between low levels of mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (mBDNF) and depression are known, it was not possible to recognize the difference between the three forms of the BDNF protein in blood samples.
The UniSA test kit can now precisely distinguish these proteins, unlike other commercially available kits.
In partnership with the University of Adelaide and Kunming University of Medicine in China, the finding was published in a new article in the Journal of Psychiatric Research led by Liying Lin, a doctoral student at UniSA.
In a study in China of 215 people, including 90 patients with clinical depression and 15 with bipolar disorder, researchers noted clear links with decreased levels of mBDNF in their blood.
In addition, it was found that the more severe the depression, the lower the level of mBDNF. Additionally, those who received antidepressants had higher levels of mature BDNF than those who did not.
Remarkably, no difference in mBDNF levels between 14 people with a history of suicide attempts and the control arm of 96 people was observed.
Xin-Fu Zhou, professor at UniSA, said, “As mature BDNF and proBDNF have different biological activities, working in opposition to each other, it is essential that we can distinguish between these two proteins. and detect changes in their levels.
“Commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (BDNF ELISA) kits are nonspecific and can cross-react with each other. The kit we have developed has an accuracy rate of 80% to 83%. ”
Serum mBDNF levels below 12.4 ng / ml can potentially be used as a cut-off point to detect depression and bipolar disorder, the scientists noted.
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