Evidence for reduced synaptic protein SNAP-25 in cerebrospinal fluid in major depressive disorder and schizophrenia.

Background: Decreased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of synaptic proteins, possibly reflecting impaired synaptic function, have been observed in major depressive disorder (MDD).

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic utility of the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive-factor attachment receptor (SNARE) complex protein, synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25), for MDD.

Methods: Overall, 208 participants with one of MDD, schizophrenia (SCZ) or bipolar disorder (BD), and healthy controls (HCs) were retrospectively enrolled.

Epstein-Barr Virus-Induced Genes and Endogenous Retroviruses in Immortalized B Cells from Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

The immune pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is thought to be triggered by environmental factors in individuals with an unfavorable genetic predisposition. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is a major risk factor for subsequent development of MS. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) can be activated by EBV, and might be a missing link between an initial EBV infection and the later onset of MS.