The elucidation of the mechanisms underlying treatment-resistant depression by steroid and peptide hormones

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K07478
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 52030:Psychiatry-related
• Research Institution: Niigata University
• Principal Investigator: Suzuki Yutaro 新潟大学, 医歯学総合研究科, 客員研究員 (60377158)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: うつ病 / 治療抵抗性 / 耐糖能異常 / DHEA-S / IGF-1 / 自殺リスク / 再発

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We revealed that serum cortisol levels were higher in patients with schizophrenia compared to those with depression, and the correlation between serum IGF-1 levels and severity differed between depression and schizophrenia, suggesting that the differences in these hormones may reflect the pathophysiological differences between the two disorders. Additionally, we first reported that serum IGF-1 levels are positively correlated with insulin resistance only in non-remitted depression patients, but not in remitted ones. Furthermore, through a longitudinal study, we demonstrated the potential of serum IGF-1 and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels as predictive factors for treatment-resistant depression.

Free Research Field

精神医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の結果から、ホルモンがうつ病の重症度やインスリン抵抗性、治療抵抗性と関連する可能性が示唆された。今回の成果は、ホルモンがうつ病の診断や治療反応などを予測する生物学的マーカーならびに新たな治療法の確立につながり得る可能性を示唆し、精神医学において大きな意義があると考える。