There are new materials in looking for objective tools of mental conditions of depression patients. Grant of Russian humanitarian scientific fund: 11-06-00869.

21 patient (7 male; 14 female; mean age - 38.2 years).

Assessment of beta-endorphin concentration in peripheral blood in patients with mild and moderate unipolar depression. Implementation of this parameter as a marker of treatment efficacy.

Ethically approved prospective study; HDRS; ELISA; statistical analysis

Changes in beta-endorphin level appeared to be more significant marker than peptides‘ absolute level. Degree of beta-endorphin changes and degree of HDRS score changes were significantly correlated (p = 0.009; Spearman correlation coefficient ρ = - 0.6). Individual change was calculated as ratio of previous value divided by subsequent value. Therefore, higher increase of beta-endorphin concentration was associated with higher decrease in HDRS score. Figure.

[Figure]

A0 - mean HDRS sample score (n=21); A1 - mean HDRS score in patients with beta-endorphin decrease (n=6); A2 - mean HDRS score in patients with beta-endorphin increase (n=15).

Preliminary data show that increase in beta-endorphin plasma level in patients with non-psychotic unipolar depression after 2 weeks of treatment is associated with positive response to treatment.