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The aim of this study was to assess the association between anhedonia and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a well-characterized community sample of individuals with a current depressive episode. This is a cross-sectional study with young adults aged 24-30 years old. Depressive episode and the presence of anhedonia was assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview - Plus version (MINI Plus). The MetS was assessed using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP III). The sample included 931 subjects, being 22 had depression without anhedonia, whereas 55 had depression with anhedonia. MetS was more prevalent among subjects with depression and anhedonia (43.6%) when compared to individuals without anhedonia and population control group. Moreover, subjects with depression and anhedonia have a significant increase of levels of glucose, triglycerides, total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, as well as significant decreased in the HDL-cholesterol level. The present study showed that individuals with depression and anhedonia present higher prevalence of MetS. Our study suggests that the use of the concept of anhedonia may contribute to a better understanding of the complex relationship between depression and metabolic syndrome.

Objective The aim of this study was to assess if cytokines levels (IL-6 and IL-10) are related to major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD), in a population-based study. Methods This was a cross-sectional study population-based, involving 1037 people aged 18–35. MDD, BD, anxiety and suicide risk were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Serum IL-6 and IL-10 were measured by ELISA using a commercial kit. Results The total sample comprised 1034 young adults, being 14.4% with MDD and 13.7% with BD. MDD and BD groups showed significantly higher serum IL-6 levels (p ≤ 0.001) and IL-10 levels (p ≤ 0.001) when compared to healthy control group. No correlation was found between serum IL-6 and IL-10 levels in health control group (p = 0.830; r = − 0.008), non-suicide risk (p = 0.337; r = 0.032) and non-anxiety disorder (p = 0.375; r = 0.031). Covariance analysis showed that mood disorders alone, increase both interleukin levels (IL-6, p = 0.019; and IL-10, p = 0.026), whilst the interaction of mood disorders and suicide risk or anxiety disorders did not. Conclusion Our results suggest that inflammatory dysregulation may be involved in the physiopathology of mood disorders and serum IL-6 and IL-10 levels are putative biomarkers for these disorders.

To evaluate the serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 anti-inflammatory interleukins in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a population-based study. This is a paired study nested in a cross-sectional population-based study. All individuals who presented PTSD and did not present major depressive disorder, diagnostic by interview--Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview were selected. From these, 41 healthy controls were matched by sex and age. Serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were measured by the ELISA, using commercial kits. The group of individuals with PTSD showed a significant increase in the serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10. Our results suggest that individuals with PTSD may present an activation of the immune system, which may lead to neuroinflammation.

A group of 11 women (18-29 years old) in the first episode of depression was evaluated before and after cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Depressive scores, assessed by Hamilton Rating Scale (HRSD), and serum IL-6 levels significantly decreased after the seventh session. These results suggest that CBT reduced both depressive symptoms and the inflammatory state in women.

Major depressive disorders (MDD) and suicide are significant public health concerns. Recent studies have been demonstrated that alterations in Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) can be associated with this psychiatric disorders, MDD and suicide. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate differences in serum levels in individuals with MDD and with or without suicide attempt (SA), from a population-based sample. This was a paired cross-sectional study nested in a population-based study. The psychopathology screen was performed with the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). The total population of the sample consisted of 147 subjects distributed in three groups: 49 healthy controls, 49 subjects with MDD and 49 subjects with MDD and SA (MDD + SA). The BDNF serum levels were significantly reduced in subjects with MDD and MDD + SA compared to the healthy controls. However, there were no significant differences between the MDD and MDD + SA groups with respect to BDNF serum levels. These results suggest that SA did not interfere in the serum levels of BDNF, indicating that this neurotrophin may be related to the diagnosis of MDD and not to suicide attempt.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of psychoeducation in serum levels of BDNF, NGF and GDNF in young adults presenting bipolar disorder (BD). This is a randomized clinical trial including 39 young adults (18-29 years) diagnosed with BD through the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-CV). Participants were randomized in two treatment groups: usual treatment (medication) and combined intervention (medication plus psychoeducation). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and severity of manic and hypomanic symptoms was evaluated through the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). The serum levels of trophic factors were measured with an ELISA kit. In both intervention groups, there was an improvement in depressive symptoms significantly between baseline and post-intervention. In the combined intervention, GDNF serum levels increased significantly from baseline to post-intervention. However, there were no differences in BDNF and NGF serum levels. In the usual treatment group, no changes were observed in serum levels of GDNF, BDNF, and NGF the post-intervention in individuals. Our data suggests that only combined intervention was effective in improving depressive symptoms and increasing GDNF levels in a sample of young adults with bipolar disorder.