Assessment of neuron-specific enolase levels in children and adolescents diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder

Aim: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the level of neuron spesific enolase (NSE), which is an indicator of damage to neuronal cells, in patients diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and majör depressive disorder (MDD). By examining the NSE level, it is aimed to evaluate the relationship between PTSD, MDD and neuronal pathology. Method: 43 children and adolescents who diagnosed with PTSD, 43 children and adolescents who diagnosed with MDD and 40 children and adolescents as healthy control, who matched for age and sex, included to the study. The diagnoses and comorbidities of the children and adolescents were evaluated with Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Aged Children- Present and Life Time Verison (K-SADS PL) in accordandance with DSM-V criteria. Sociodemografic and Clinical Data Form, Post-traumatic Stress Reaction Index, Children's Depression Inventory, Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders were filled out by the patients and Clinical Global Impressions Scale- Severity Form was filled out by the researcher. Venous blood samples were taken from the patients and the NSE level was measured by the ECLIA method. Results: NSE level of the PTSD group was found to be significantly higher than both the MDD group and the healthy control group. No significant difference was detected between the MDD group and the healthy control group in terms of NSE level. Conclusion: The high levels of NSE in the PTSD group indicate that it may be related to the development of neuronal pathology after intense stress. In our study, there was no significant difference between the MDD group and the healthy control group. These findings may indicate that the effect of trauma on neuronal structure is more pronounced. Our study contributes to the literature on the biological effects of PTSD and MDD. Keywords: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Majör Depressive Disorder, NSE, Neuronal Pathology