LAUSR

BACKGROUND Stroke is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. Among its complications, post-stroke depression (PSD) leads to significant burden. The diagnosis of PSD is complex and there are no biomarkers that can assist in its early identification and adequate management. OBJECTIVE To investigate peripheral biomarkers in the acute phase of stroke and their potential association with depressive symptoms. METHODS We evaluated 60 patients in the acute phase of stroke by using standardized instruments of psychiatric and neuro-logical assessment (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview-Plus -MINI-Plus, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale -HADS, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale -NIHSS) and measured peripheral biomarkers. RESULTS In multivariate analysis, low peripheral levels of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) and higher NIHSS scores were associated with PSD. The severity of depressive symptoms was inversely correlated with sTREM-1 and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) levels. CONCLUSION This is the first study indicating an association between sTREM-1 and PSD. Our results may point to the involvement of glial mechanisms in the manifestation of depressive symptoms after stroke.