Illness severity and biomarkers in depression: using a unidimensional rating scale to examine BDNF

Numerous studies have reported reduced peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in major depression (MD). However, most of these studies used multidimensional depression rating scales, and failed to identify a relationship between BDNF levels and depression severity. Unidimensional scales are a more valid measure of syndrome severity. In these scales, items are ordered in increasing severity, so that as scores increase, syndrome severity increases; thus, each item adds unique information, and items can be totaled to a meaningful sum.

Source: Comprehensive Psychiatry - March 4, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Marco A Caldieraro, Edgar A Vares, L ívia H de Souza, Lucas Spanemberg, Tadeu A Guerra, Bianca Wollenhaupt-Aguiar, Pâmela Ferrari, Andrew A Nierenberg, Marcelo P Fleck Source Type: research