Different serum BDNF levels in depression: results from BDNF studies in FYR Macedonia and Bulgaria.

Background: A growing body of evidence shows that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a role in depressive disorder. Serum BDNF levels are lower in depressed patients and they increase after a long course of antidepressant treatment. Our study aims to test the effect of antidepressant treatment on serum BDNF levels in patients with a depressive episode, after they have achieved remission in two studies in Macedonia and Bulgaria.

Expression of Cyclon/CCDC86, a novel nuclear protein, in the hippocampus of adult non-human primates.

Cyclon (cytokine-induced protein with coiled-coil domain), also known as CCDC86 (coiled-coil domain-containing protein 86), is a nuclear protein expressed in lymphocytes in mice where it regulates T-cell responses. Here we show that Cyclon/CCDC86 is expressed in the hippocampus of adult macaque monkeys, including both the hippocampus proper (cornu Ammonis) and the dentate gyrus. Cyclon/CCDC86 was localized to neurons and astrocytes in cornu Ammonis, while in the dentate gyrus the protein was also expressed in immature neurons and a very small fraction of proliferating cells.

Expression and differential response to haloperidol treatment of Cyclon/CCDC86 mRNA in schizophrenia patients.

A gene known as Cyclon (cytokine-induced protein with coiled-coil domain) or CCDC86 (coiled-coil domain-containing protein 86) is known for its expression in leukocytes in mice, where it regulates the immune response. We investigated whether Cyclon/CCDC68 is expressed in leukocytes of schizophrenia patients and whether it might be used as a biological marker for the disease endophenotype segregation. We examined the level of mRNA of Cyclon/CCDC68 in white blood cells obtained from schizophrenia patients in relapse and remission as well as in healthy controls.