Correlation between S100B and severity of depression in MDD: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Background

Previous studies have demonstrated elevated levels of the S100B protein (located in glial cells) in major depressive disorder (MDD) as compared to healthy controls. However, studies reporting correlation between S100B levels and depression severity have been conflicting.

Methods

We investigated, through systematic review and meta-analysis, whether the correlation between S100B levels and depression severity is significant in patients with MDD. Pearson correlation coefficients reported in the individual studies were converted to Fisher’s Z scores, then pooled using the random effects model. Meta-regression was used to test modifiers of the effect size.

Results

Sixteen studies including 658 patients with MDD met eligibility criteria. No publication bias was observed. There was a significant and positive correlation between serum S100B level and depression severity (r = 0.204, z = 2.297, p = 0.022). A meta-regression determined that onset age of MDD and percentage of female participants are significant modifiers of this correlation. A moderate, but non-significant heterogeneity was observed in serum studies (44%).

Conclusion

As many studies have reported significantly increased levels of S100B in MDD compared to controls, this meta-analysis supports the assumption that the increase in S100B correlates with the severity of MDD. Additional studies investigating the precise biological connection between S100B and MDD are indicated.

Keywords:

• Major depressive disorder
• S100B
• meta-analysis
• glia
• correlation

Acknowledgements

The authors extend their thanks to Drs. M.K. Jha, M. Trivedi, L. Kranaster and O. Ambree for sharing their data.

Statement of interest

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s). In the last five years, Dr. Iosifescu has received consulting honoraria from Alkermes, Allergan, Axsome, Centers for Psychiatric Excellence, Global Medical Education, Jazz, Lundbeck, Otsuka, Precision Neuroscience, Sage, and Sunovion and research support (through his academic institution) from Alkermes, AstraZeneca, BrainsWay, LiteCure, NeoSync, Otsuka, Roche, and Shire.