Background: Neurotrophic factors are known to play an important role in the survival and differentiation of many types of neurons during development. Both brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) may act cooperatively in modulating the development and functioning of synapses. Both these neurotrophic factors were intensely investigated with regard to depression without conclusive results.
Methods: We have investigated the possible use of both CNTF null-mutation and BDNF polymorphism C270T as biomarkers for depression in the Vienna Transdanube Aging (VITA) study. The VITA is a prospective community-based cohort study of all 75 years old inhabitants of a geographical region of Vienna.
Results: We found no association between CNTF null-mutation and BDNF C270T polymorphism to any depressive symptoms after exclusion of demented subjects.
Conclusion: These results call in question the hypothesis that either BDNF or CNTF can be used as molecular markers for depression or late onset depression in the elderly.