The relationship between major depression (MD) and dementia in the elderly is still not clear, but it is certain that the immune system and in particular, pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, play a key role in the mechanisms underlying the two neuro-psychiatric disorders. In our experience, the -308(G/A) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the TNF-alpha gene is associated with earlier age at onset in patients affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the -308(G/A) SNP and late-life MD in elderly people without dementia. Blood samples were obtained from 50 subjects, after screening with the geriatric depression scale (GDS>or=15) and mini-mental state examination (MMSE>or=24). The -308 (G/A) SNP was genotyped by SSP-PCR amplification. Two-hundred-fourty age-matched healthy volunteers were taken as the control group. We identified different genotype and allele distributions of the SNP in old depressed patients and healthy controls (HC). Our results evidenced a significantly higher percentage of the GG genotype in depressed subjects (84.0% vs. 68.3%; p=0.007) and consequently of the G allele (92.0% vs. 81.9%; p=0.05). The presence of the GG genotype raised the risk of developing MD (odds ratio=OR=2.433, confidence interval=Cl=1.09-5.43). Our findings suggested that the investigated TNF-alpha SNP may: (1) affect MD susceptibility; (2) be involved both in AD and MD development, but probably with a distinct role in the two pathologies.
Cerri, A.P., Arosio, B., Viazzoli, C., Confalonieri, R., Teruzzi, F., & Annoni, G. (2009). -308(G/A) TNF-α gene polymorphism and risk of depression late in the life. ARCHIVES OF GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS, 49, 29-34 [10.1016/j.archger.2009.09.009].
Citazione: | Cerri, A.P., Arosio, B., Viazzoli, C., Confalonieri, R., Teruzzi, F., & Annoni, G. (2009). -308(G/A) TNF-α gene polymorphism and risk of depression late in the life. ARCHIVES OF GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS, 49, 29-34 [10.1016/j.archger.2009.09.009]. | |
Tipo: | Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico | |
Carattere della pubblicazione: | Scientifica | |
Presenza di un coautore afferente ad Istituzioni straniere: | No | |
Titolo: | -308(G/A) TNF-α gene polymorphism and risk of depression late in the life | |
Autori: | Cerri, AP; Arosio, B; Viazzoli, C; Confalonieri, R; Teruzzi, F; Annoni, G | |
Autori: | ||
Data di pubblicazione: | 2009 | |
Lingua: | English | |
Rivista: | ARCHIVES OF GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2009.09.009 | |
Appare nelle tipologie: | 01 - Articolo su rivista |