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.

Family relationships as a risk factor for late life depression.

Aim: To explore the association between depression in older adults and marital status, marital quality and relationships with close family members.

Methods: This study is cross-sectional, carried out at the Department of Geriatric Psychiatry of Skopje Psychiatric Hospital. We studied 120 subjects, 60 patients with unipolar depression and 60 subjects without depression.