Preliminary data indicate that increased blood plasma level of β-endorphin in patients with nonpsychotic unipolar depression after 2 weeks of treatment correlates with the positive response to therapy. This parameter can be regarded as an objective indicator of potential improvements. Further studies aimed at determining the value of blood β-endorphin levels in patients with mood disorders for the diagnostics and estimating the therapeutic success in this disease are required.

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Introduction:There are new materials in looking for objective tools of mental conditions of depression patients. Grant of Russian humanitarian scientific fund: 11-06-00869.Objectives:21 patient (7 male; 14 female; mean age - 38.2 years).Aims:Assessment of beta-endorphin concentration in peripheral blood in patients with mild and moderate unipolar depression. Implementation of this parameter as a marker of treatment efficacy.Methods:Ethically approved prospective study; HDRS; ELISA; statistical analysisResults:Changes in beta-endorphin level appeared to be more significant marker than peptides‘ absolute level. Degree of beta-endorphin changes and degree of HDRS score changes were significantly correlated (p = 0.009; Spearman correlation coefficient ρ = - 0.6). Individual change was calculated as ratio of previous value divided by subsequent value. Therefore, higher increase of beta-endorphin concentration was associated with higher decrease in HDRS score. Figure.[Figure]A0 - mean HDRS sample score (n=21); A1 - mean HDRS score in patients with beta-endorphin decrease (n=6); A2 - mean HDRS score in patients with beta-endorphin increase (n=15).Conclusion:Preliminary data show that increase in beta-endorphin plasma level in patients with non-psychotic unipolar depression after 2 weeks of treatment is associated with positive response to treatment.