Study Of The Effects Of Childhood Abuse On BDNF Levels And HPA Function In Adult Depression Patients

Background and Objective:Childhood abuse is an important risk factor of depression in adulthood.The aim of this study is to explore the effects of childhood abuse on BDNF level in blood serum and the HPA axis function in adult depression patients.Methods:1.98 depression patients were divided into abuse group and non-abuse group according to the CTQ score and 4 weeks anti-depression treatment were taken.The BDNF levels were determined before and after the treating and were compared to the control group of 30 healthy people.2.Both 20 subjects from abuse group and non-abuse group were taken dexamethasone suppression test before and after the treating.Result:1.The BDNF levels of abuse group were lower than those in non-abuse group and control group,while the BDNF levels of non-abuse group were lower than control group.After the treating,the BDNF levels of both group elevated,but The BDNF levels of abuse group were lower than those in non-abuse group and control group,while the BDNF levels of non-abuse group had no significant differences with control group.2.The un-inhibition rate and the cortisol levels before and after the dexamethasone suppression test of abuse group and non-abuse group were higher than the control group,while those of abuse group had no significant differences with non-abuse group.After the treating,the un-inhibition rate and the cortisol levels before and after the dexamethasone suppression test of abuse group and non-abuse group were higher than the control group,while those of abuse group were higher than non-abuse group.Conclusion:Childhood abuse influences BDNF levels and HPA axis function of depression patients obviously,and is hard to be changed by the anti-depression treatment.Childhood abuse may affect the development of nerve system and become a risk factor of depression in adult.