Illness severity and biomarkers in depression: Using a unidimensional rating scale to examine BDNF.

Background: Numerous studies have reported reduced peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in major depression (MD). However, most of these studies used multidimensional depression rating scales, and failed to identify a relationship between BDNF levels and depression severity. Unidimensional scales are a more valid measure of syndrome severity.

Interpersonal psychotherapy as add-on for treatment-resistant depression: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial.

Background: Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is an extremely prevalent clinical condition. Although Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is an established treatment for uncomplicated depression, its effectiveness has never before been studied in patients with TRD in real-world settings. We investigate IPT as an adjunct strategy to treatment as usual (TAU) for TRD patients in a pragmatic, randomized, controlled trial.

Childhood trauma and dimensions of depression: a specific association with the cognitive domain.

Objective: To investigate associations between a history of childhood trauma and dimensions of depression in a sample of clinically depressed patients.

Methods: A sample of 217 patients from a mood-disorder outpatient unit was investigated with the Beck Depression Inventory, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the CORE Assessment of Psychomotor Change, and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. A previous latent model identifying six depressive dimensions was used for analysis.

Measurement methods of BDNF levels in major depression: a qualitative systematic review of clinical trials.

There is evidence that the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has implications for the pathophysiology of major depressive disorders (MDD). Measures of BDNF levels are highly dependent on the methodologies used and these vary among different studies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to carry out a descriptive analysis of the methodologies used to measure BDNF in clinical trials (CT) in patients with the diagnosis of major depression.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism in preeclampsia and normal pregnancy.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism in pregnant women with and without preeclampsia.

Study Design: Preeclampsia was defined as hypertension and pathologic proteinuria in pregnant women after gestational week 20. Genomic DNA was isolated from leukocytes.