Scientists are developing the world’s first experiment to accurately predict mood disorders

Scientists at the University of South Australia have developed the world’s first experiment to accurately predict mood disorders in humans, based on the levels of specific proteins found in the brain.

There are known links between low levels of brain-based mature neurotrophic factor (mBDNF) and depression but, until now, it has not been possible to differentiate between the three forms of the BDNF protein in blood samples.

The mature form stimulates the growth of neurons and protects the brain, but the other two forms of BDNF – the precursor and prodomines BDNF – bind to different receptors, causing zero decay and inflammation.

An assay package developed by researchers from UniSA can now accurately distinguish between these proteins, unlike other commercial tools on the market.

The result, in collaboration with the University of Adelaide and Kunming Medical University of China, was published in a new paper in the Journal of Psychological Research led by UniSA PhD student Liying Lin.

UniSA Professor Xin-Fu Zhou, one of the researchers, says there is strong evidence to suggest that psychological stress reduces mBDNF and that lack of mBDNF causes depression.

In a study of 215 people in China, including 90 patients with clinical depression and 15 with bipolar disorder, researchers found clear links to low levels of mBDNF in their blood. The more severe the depression, the lower the level of mBDNF.

Levels of mature BDNF in patients not on antidepressants were also lower than in patients treated with antidepressants.

Surprisingly, there was no difference in mBDNF levels between 14 people with a history of suicide attempts and the control group of 96 people.

No significant gender difference was found.

“Because mature BDNFs and proBDNFs have different biological functions, working against each other, it is vital that we can differentiate between these two proteins and detect changes in their levels. , “Dr Zhou says.

“The existing commercial BDNF ELISA kit (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) is not specific and can exceed a combined response. The kitchen we developed has an 80-83 percent accuracy level. “

The researchers say that serum mBDNF levels lower than 12.4 ng / ml could be used as a cutting point to diagnose depression and bipolar disorder.

“This could be a goal biomarker as well as a clinical evaluation by a doctor,” Dr. Zhou says.

“Growing evidence shows that inflammation in brain cells is linked to depressive behavior and proBDNF appears to activate the immune system. Therefore, we need to separate it from mature BDNF. to get a proper reading.

“Interestingly, our recent studies in animals showed that ingested proBDNF both in the brain and in the muscles can induce depressive behavior,” Dr. Zhou says.

The next step is to investigate whether an imbalance between proBDNF and mature BDNF can be reversed in electroconvulsive therapy. This project will be led by UniSA Professional Professor Larisa Bobrovskaya in collaboration with the University of Adelaide psychologist, Professor Dennis Liu and Dr Oliver Schubert.

Mood disorders affect millions of people around the world. However, about a third of people with depression and bipolar disorder are resistant to antipsychotic or other medications. The reasons are not fully understood but may have something to do with the imbalances between the different forms of BDNF, which we hope to explore again.. “

Xin-Fu Zhou, Professor, University of South Australia