Author:
Nianhong Shen,Pan Liu,Caijun Li,Hongying Ye,You Sun,Jie Chang,Jinquan Zhou,Yunshan Zhou,Donghu Wang,Mingchao Yu,Chengbing Huang,Xueyuan Hou
Abstract
Abstract
Objective
To investigate the differences in the niacin skin flushing response of adolescent depressed patients and healthy adolescents and its diagnostic value in adolescent depression.
Methods
Thirty-eight cases of acute episodes of depression in unmedicated adolescents and 47 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included as study subjects, and sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, all of which were stimulated with six concentration gradients (up to 60 mmol/L, followed by sequential 3-fold gradient dilution to a minimum of 0.25 mmol/L) of niacin solution on the forearm skin, and the skin flushing area was applied as an assessment index.
Results
The total area of redness of the skin in response to niacin was significantly lower in the adolescent depression group than in the healthy adolescent group (Z=-3.36, p = 0.001) and was able to distinguish the adolescent depression group from the healthy adolescent group (area under curve = 0.713, sensitivity 51.1%, specificity 83.2%).
Conclusions
Niacin sensitivity is reduced in adolescent depressed patients, and the niacin skin flush response has potential clinical value as a diagnostic biomarker for adolescent depression.
Funder
the Jiangsu Provincial Medical Talent Project of China
the General Program of Huai’an natural science fund projects
the Scientific Research Project of the Health Commission in Huai’an
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Psychiatry and Mental health