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Researchers from the (UniSA) have developed a test to accurately predict mood disorders. Based on levels of a specific protein found in the brain, the test is reported to be the first of its kind in the world.

Low levels of mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (mBDNF) have been associated with depression for some time, but until now, it hasn鈥檛 been possible to distinguish between the three forms of the BDNF protein in blood samples.

The assay kit developed by the UniSA research team, led by UniSA PhD student Liying Lin, can distinguish between these proteins, unlike other commercial kits available on the market.

The mature form promotes the growth of neurons and protects the brain, but the other two BDNF forms 鈥� its precursor and the prodomain of BDNF 鈥� bind to different receptors, causing nerve degeneration and inflammation.

The research findings 鈥� in collaboration with the and in China 鈥� are published in the .

UniSA Professor Xin-Fu Zhou said there is strong evidence to suggest that psychological stress decreases mBDNF and a 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 with low levels of mBDNF in their blood. The more severe the depression, the lower the mBDNF level.

Mature BDNF levels in patients not on antidepressants were also lower than 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 differences were found.

鈥淎s 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,鈥� Professor Zhou said.

鈥淭he existing commercial BDNF ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) kits are not specific and can cross-react with each other. The kit we have developed has an accuracy rate of 80鈥�83%.鈥�

The researchers said serum mBDNF levels less than 12.4 ng/mL could be used as a cut-off point to diagnose depression and bipolar disorder.

鈥淭his could be an objective biomarker in addition to a clinical assessment by a doctor,鈥� Professor Zhou explained.

鈥淕rowing evidence indicates that inflammation in brain cells is linked with depressive behaviours and proBDNF seems to activate the immune system. Therefore, we must separate it from mature BDNF to get an accurate reading.

鈥淚nterestingly, our recent studies in animals showed that proBDNF injected in both the brain and muscle can directly trigger depressive behaviours.鈥�

The next step is to examine whether imbalances between proBDNF and mature BDNF can be restored in electric convulsion therapy. This project will be led by UniSA Associate Professor Larisa Bobrovskaya in collaboration with University of Adelaide psychiatrists Associate Professor Dennis Liu and Dr Oliver Schubert.

鈥淢ood disorders affect millions of people worldwide. However, about one-third of people with depression and bipolar disorder are resistant to antidepressants or alternative therapies,鈥� Professor Zhou said.

鈥淭he reasons are not understood but it could have something to do with the imbalances between the different forms of BDNF, which we hope to investigate next.鈥�

Image credit: 漏stock.adobe.com/au/hikrcn