A study by researchers from University of California San Diego School of Medicine and from the Netherlands, has shown that major depressive disorder (MDD) may be predicted by metabolism, in the form of certain metabolites.
MDD is one of the most common disorders, with a lifetime prevalence of 20.6% in the United States. For those with recurrent major depressive disorder (rMDD), the risk is 80% over five years.
MDD is characterised by any combination of feelings of sadness or hopelessness, anger or frustration, loss of interest, sleep disturbances, anxiety, slowed or difficulty thinking, suicidal thoughts and unexplained pain such as backaches.
“This is evidence for a mitochondrial nexus at the heart of depression,” said senior author Prof Robert K Naviaux, at UC San Diego School of Medicine. “It’s a small study, but it is the first to show the potential of using metabolic markers as predictive clinical indicators of patients at greatest risk—and lower risk—for recurring bouts of major depressive symptoms.”
Recruiting 68 participants who were in remission for rMDD and not on antidepressants, the researchers found a range of molecules in participants’ blood that were up to 90% predictive of relapse in 30 months. The most predictive molecules consisted of certain lipids and purines.
Purines are produced from molecules such as ATP and ADP (major cellular energy storage molecules), and also have a role in signalling in stressed cells.The researchers found that in subjects with rMDD, certain metabolites in six metabolic pathways resulted in the alteration of key cellular activities.
“The findings revealed an underlying biochemical signature in remitted rMDD that set diagnosed patients apart from healthy controls,” Naviaux said. “These differences are not visible through ordinary clinical assessment, but suggest that the use of metabolomics—the biological study of metabolites—could be a new tool for predicting which patients are most vulnerable to a recurrence of depressive symptoms.”
Source: Medical Xpress
Journal information: Roel J. T. Mocking et al. Metabolic features of recurrent major depressive disorder in remission, and the risk of future recurrence, Translational Psychiatry (2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01182-w
