Diagnostic accuracy of serum brain derived neurotrophic factor concentration in antidepressant naïve patients with first major depression episode

Subjects with first episode MDD showed differences in serum BDNF concentrations (ng/mL) in comparison to the control group of patients not meeting the criteria for first episode MDD (mean ± SD; 37.5 ± 13.3 vs. 56.8 ± 6.3; t = 1.372; df = 262; p < 0.01). The ROC analysis established a discriminant diagnostic value of serum BDNF in diagnosing MDD. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.892 with a 95% confidence level (0.826-0.939), which was statistically significant at p < 0.01. The serum BDNF had a high diagnostic sensitivity of 83.9% and a specificity of 93%. Serum BDNF concentrations appear to be a promising tool in discriminating subjects with MDD from those without MDD.