amyloid-beta-peptides and Depressive-Disorder

This study aimed to evaluate differences in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of Aβ peptides in older adults with late-life depression compared to non-depressed older controls. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature using PubMed, Web of science and Scopus databases with no search limits for publication dates or languages. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed quality. Six hundred references were retrieved, and we included 12 studies in the meta-analysis after eligibility screening. Older adults with late-life depression (LLD) had a higher plasma Aβ40:Aβ42 ratio compared to non-depressed participants (SMD = 1.10, CI95% [0.28; 1.96], p = 0.01), and marginally significant reduction of CSF Aβ42 levels (SMD = -1.12, CI95% [-2.47; 0.22], p = 0.1). The present results evidence that older adults with depression have significant differences in Aβ metabolism, in the same direction observed in individuals with AD. These differences in the Aβ metabolism may help identify a subgroup of subjects with LLD at higher risk of developing AD.

Topics: Age of Onset; Aged; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Depressive Disorder; Humans; Peptide Fragments

To elucidate an involvement of amyloid dysmetabolism in the pathophysiology of depression, we investigated associations of plasma amyloid-β (Aβ) levels with Alzheimer's disease-related changes in neuroimaging and cognitive dysfunction in patients with late-life depression. Higher plasma Aβ40, but not Aβ42 nor Aβ40/Aβ42 ratio, was associated with higher degree of parahippocampal atrophy and lower verbal fluency performance. Indeed, high plasma Aβ40 predicted poor cognitive prognosis of depressed patients with mild cognitive impairment. As an anti-depressive treatment, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) resulted in a marginally significant reduction of plasma Aβ40 compared to pharmacotherapy alone, suggesting protective effects of ECT against amyloid dysmetabolism.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Antidepressive Agents; Cognitive Dysfunction; Depressive Disorder; Electroconvulsive Therapy; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Neuropsychological Tests; Peptide Fragments; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales