Amyloid-associated depression: a prodromal depression of Alzheimer disease?

Authors:Xiaoyan Sun, David C Steffens, Rhoda Au, Marshal Folstein, Paul Summergrad, Jacqueline Yee, Irwin Rosenberg, D Mkaya Mwamburi, Wei Qiao Qiu
Language:Eng.
Date:06-05-2008
Journal:Archives of general psychiatry (1538-3636)
Release:Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008 May;65(5):542-50


Abstract:



CONTEXT:
A high ratio of plasma amyloid-beta peptide 40 (Abeta(40)) to Abeta(42), determined by both high Abeta(40) and low Abeta(42) levels, increases the risk of Alzheimer disease. In a previous study, we reported that depression is also associated with low plasma Abeta(42) levels in the elderly population.

OBJECTIVE:
To characterize plasma Abeta(40):Abeta(42) ratio and cognitive function in elderly individuals with and without depression.

DESIGN:
Cross-sectional study.

SETTING:
Homecare agencies.

PARTICIPANTS:
A total of 995 homebound elderly individuals of whom 348 were defined as depressed by a Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression score of 16 or greater.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Cognitive domains of memory, language, executive, and visuospatial functions according to levels of plasma Abeta(40) and Abeta(42) peptides.

RESULTS:
Subjects with depression had lower plasma Abeta(42) levels (median, 14.1 vs 19.2 pg/mL; P = .006) and a higher plasma Abeta(40):Abeta(42) ratio (median, 8.9 vs 6.4; P < .001) than did those without depression in the absence of cardiovascular disease and antidepressant use. The interaction between depression and plasma Abeta(40):Abeta(42) ratio was associated with lower memory score (beta = -1.9, SE = 0.7, P = .006) after adjusting for potentially confounders. Relative to those without depression, "amyloid-associated depression," defined by presence of depression and a high plasma Abeta(40):Abeta(42) ratio, was associated with greater impairment in memory, visuospatial ability, and executive function; in contrast, nonamyloid depression was not associated with memory impairment but with other cognitive disabilities.

CONCLUSION:
Amyloid-associated depression may define a subtype of depression representing a prodromal manifestation of Alzheimer disease.

Copyright:Archives of general psychiatry

Department of Psychiatry, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Campus Box 1007, 750 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Full text:
HighWire Press - HTML (needs subscription)
Ovid Technologies, Inc. - HTML (needs subscription)
 
Add to my archiveAdd to my archive


Send to a friendSend to a friend