COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION, BRAIN-DERIVED NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR (BDNF) AND IL-6 LEVELS IN CANCER PATIENTS WITH DEPRESSION

Increased pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6) and decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels have been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression. Depression has been shown to be associated with cognitive dysfunction. The objective of this study was to assess the correlations between cognitive dysfunction, IL-6 and BDNF in cancer patients with depression. Methods: Clinical depression was assessed in 55 patients with cancer according to DSM-IV criteria and by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). A HADS-D score of >11 was considered sufficient for the diagnosis of clinical depression. Cognitive function was assessed by the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT). Plasma concentrations of IL-6 and BDNF were measured at 8 AM the same day. Results: The mean age of the 55 patients was 60 years, 77% were female and 23% male. There was no difference in age or Karnofsky-index between depression vs. no depression. Depression was associated with higher IL-6 levels (14.8 vs. 3.7 pg/mL; p