Vulnerability to Depression: From Brain Neuroplasticity to Identification of Biomarkers

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1309-11.2011
• Publication Date: 2011-09-07T18:54:38Z
• Authors: Aurélie Blugeot; Cyril Rivat; Elodie Bouvier; Jenny Molet; Amandine Mouchard; Brigitte Zeau; Christophe Bernard; Jean-Jacques Beno...; Chrystel Becker
• Keywords: Corticosterone; Depression

A stressful event increases the risk of developing depression later in life, but possible predisposing factors remain unknown. Our study aims to characterize latent vulnerability traits underlying development depressive disorders adult animals. Four weeks after a priming event, serum corticosterone concentration returned control values all animals, whereas other biological parameters basal level only 58% animals (called nonvulnerable). In contrast, 42% displayed persistent decreased and hippocampus BDNF concentrations, reduced hippocampal volume neurogenesis, CA3 dendritic retraction decrease spine density, as well amygdala neuron hypertrophy, constituting depression. this group, called vulnerable, subsequent mild stress evoked rise levels “depressive” phenotype, contrast nonvulnerable Intracerebroventricular administration 7,8-dihydroxyflavone, selective TrkB receptor agonist, dampened phenotype. results thus presence that underlie emergence identify association low with normal concentrations predictive biomarker