Depression and anxiety disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis: association with neurodegeneration and neurofilaments
Open Access
- 1 January 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by FapUNIFESP (SciELO) in Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research
- Vol. 54 (3), e10428
- https://doi.org/10.1590/1414-431x202010428
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that neurofilament light chain (NF-L) can be considered as a biomarker for neuro-axonal damage. This polypeptide can be released into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the blood, where it can be quantified. The concentration of NF-L is elevated in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and psychiatric disorders. We aimed to investigate the NF-L levels in the CSF from treated MS patients and the relationship with depression or anxiety. The study involved three groups: control group (individuals without inflammation), the relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS)-untreated group, and the RRMS-Fingo group (RRMS patients who were treated with fingolimod). MS disability was assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale, and depression and anxiety were evaluated by a neuropsychologist, using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Individual CSF samples were collected to measure NF-L levels. The results of the statistical analysis on levels of NF-L in the CSF of control subjects, RRMS-untreated patients, and RRMS-Fingo patients were significant. The relationship between depression and anxiety in RRMS-Fingo patients and NF-L levels was not statistically significant. In conclusion, MS events such as anxiety and depression appear to contribute to the onset of clinical relapses, subclinical cases, and neurodegeneration.Keywords
This publication has 40 references indexed in Scilit:
- Diagnostic accuracy for major depression in multiple sclerosis using self‐report questionnairesBrain and Behavior, 2015
- Fingolimod and CSF neurofilament light chain levels in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosisNeurology, 2015
- Elevated Concentrations of Neurofilament Light Chain in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Bipolar Disorder PatientsNeuropsychopharmacology, 2014
- Diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis: 2010 Revisions to the McDonald criteriaAnnals of Neurology, 2011
- Validation study of a Portuguese version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression ScalePsychology, Health & Medicine, 2007
- Natural history of multiple sclerosis: a unifying conceptBrain, 2006
- An inventory for measuring clinical anxiety: Psychometric properties.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1988
- Rating neurologic impairment in multiple sclerosisNeurology, 1983
- The Hospital Anxiety and Depression ScaleActa Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 1983
- An Inventory for Measuring DepressionArchives of General Psychiatry, 1961