Malondialdehyde: A novel predictive biomarker for post-stroke depression

Abstract Background There is evidence that stroke is accompanied by oxidative stress. However, the links between oxidative stress and depression in stroke patients are poorly understood. This study examines whether post-stroke depression (PSD) is associated with oxidative stress. Methods Overall, 216 acute stroke patients were consecutively recruited and followed up for 1 month. Blood specimens were collected within 24 h after admission and measured for the following oxidative stress biomarkers: malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX). All enrolled patients were divided into the PSD group or the non-PSD group according to an assessment of clinical depression. One hundred normal control subjects were also recruited. Results There was a positive correlation between serum MDA levels and HAMD scores in stroke patients (r=0.536, p p Limitations We excluded patients with severe aphasia or with serious conditions. In addition, the information for dietary intake was not recorded, which may influence oxidative stress levels. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that an elevated serum MDA level at admission was positively associated with an increased risk of developing depression after acute stroke, especially minor stroke.