The Association of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Malondialdehyde Level with Depression In-Patient Post-Stroke Ischemic

Post-stroke depression was a serious psychosomatic complication, and this condition can disrupt the stroke healing process. This study aims to find the association of the levels of DNF and Malondialdehyde (MDA) acute phase of stroke and the effect of vascular risk factors with incident of post-stroke depression. An observational study with the case-control design was carried out in 72 ischemic stroke patients at Dr. M Jamil Hospital in Padang. Based on the result of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale which was conducted 1 month after onset of stroke, a sample of this study was divided into post-stroke groups with depression and without depression. The differences of mean levels of BDNF and MDA were analyzed using t-test and Mann-Whitney and the differences of the basic characteristics of these two groups were analyzed by chi-square. The mean level of BDNF in the depression group was lower than the group without depression, and the difference was statistically significant with p-value = 0.009. The mean level of MDA in the depression group was higher than the non-depressed group, and this difference was also statistically significant with p-value = 0.024. A lower level of BDNF serum and a higher level of MDA in the acute phase of ischemic stroke is associated with the incidence of post-stroke depression. Patient with diabetes mellitus has a higher risk to suffer post-stroke depression.