Abstract
Co-existing depression worsens Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a newly identified (neuro) inflammatory mediator in the pathophysiologies of both AD and depression. This study aimed to compare NGAL levels in healthy controls, AD without depression (AD-D), and AD with co-existing depression (AD+D) patients. Protein levels of NGAL and its receptors, 24p3R and megalin, were assessed in nine brain regions from healthy controls (n = 19), AD-D (n = 19), and AD+D (n = 21) patients. NGAL levels in AD-D patients were significantly increased in brain regions commonly associated with AD. In the hippocampus, NGAL levels were even further increased in AD+D subjects. Unexpectedly, NGAL levels in the prefrontal cortex of AD+D patients were comparable to those in controls. Megalin levels were increased in BA11 and amygdala of AD+D patients, while no changes in 24p3R were detected. These findings indicate significant differences in neuroimmunological regulation between AD patients with and without co-existing depression. Considering its known effects, elevated NGAL levels might actively promote neuropathological processes in AD with and without depression.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 763-776 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Journal of alzheimers disease |
Volume | 55 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2017 |
Keywords
- 24p3R
- Alzheimer's disease
- depression
- hippocampus
- inflammation
- lipocalin 2
- megalin
- NGAL
- LATE-LIFE DEPRESSION
- MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT
- CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM
- AMYLOID BETA-PEPTIDE
- CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID
- INFLAMMATORY MARKERS
- PREFRONTAL CORTEX
- VASCULAR-DEMENTIA
- MAJOR DEPRESSION
- APOLIPOPROTEIN J