Procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide, neurofilament light chain, proinflammatory cytokines, and cognitive function in bipolar and major depressive disorders: An exploratory study of brain- bone axis and systemic inflammation

Background: Higher levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL) and proinflammatory cytokines (i.e., tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha) were observed in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), a bone turnover biomarker, is related to MDD. The association among the brain-bone axis, systemic inflammation, and cognitive function remains unclear in severe affective disorders. Methods: Overall, 25 patients with BD, 24 with MDD, and 29 matched controls were enrolled in the current study and underwent the measurements of the NfL, P1NP, and proinflammatory cytokine levels and 1-back and 2-back working memory tasks. Generalized linear models (GLMs) were used to examine the aforementioned biomarkers between the groups and clarify the association with each other. Results: GLMs showed increased levels of NfL (p = 0.001, p = 0.020) and P1NP (p = 0.050, p = 0.032) in the patients with BD and MDD than in the controls and suggested significant correlations between the NfL level and the mean time of the 2-back working memory task (p = 0.038) and between P1NL and TNF-alpha levels (p < 0.001). Discussion: Our study revealed the dysregulated brain-bone axis, indicated by elevated NfL and P1NP levels, and related cognitive impairment and systemic inflammation in the patients with BD and MDD. Additional studies are necessary to elucidate definite pathomechanisms underlying those conditions.

Automated summary

Higher levels of neurofilament light chain and proinflammatory cytokines were observed in patients with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. The bone turnover biomarker, P1NP, was related to MDD. The association among the brain-bone axis, systemic inflammation, and cognitive function remains unclear in severe affective disorders.