BDNF Levels According to Variations in the CACNA1C Gene: Sex-Based Disparity.

The CACNA1C gene encodes the pore-forming alpha-1c subunit of L-type voltage-gated calcium channels. The calcium influx through these channels regulates the transcription of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Polymorphisms in this gene have been consistently associated with psychiatric disorders, and alterations in BDNF levels are a possible biological mechanism to explain such associations. Here, we sought to investigate the effect of the CACNA1C rs1006737 and rs4765913 polymorphisms and their haplotypes on serum BDNF concentration. We further aim to investigate the regulatory function of these SNPs and the ones linked to them. The study enrolled 641 young adults (362 women and 279 men) in a cross-sectional population-based survey. Linear regression was used to test the effects of polymorphisms and haplotypes on BDNF levels adjusted for potential confounders. Moreover, regulatory putative functional roles were assessed using in silico approach. BDNF levels were not associated with CACNA1C polymorphisms/haplotype in the total sample. When the sample was stratified by sex, checking the effect of polymorphisms on men and women separately, the A-allele of rs4765913 was associated with lower BDNF levels in women compared with the TT genotype (p = 0.010). The AA (rs1006737-rs4765913) haplotype was associated with BDNF levels in opposite directions regarding sex, with lower levels of BDNF in women (p = 0.040) compared to those without this haplotype, while with higher levels in men (p = 0.027). These findings were supported by the presence of regulatory marks only on the male fetal brain. Our results suggest that the BDNF levels regulation may be a potential mechanism underpinning the association between CACNA1C and psychiatric disorders, with a differential role in women and men.

S100B protein and neuron-specific enolase as predictors of postoperative cognitive dysfunction in aged dogs: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) may be related to brain injury. S100B protein and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) have been investigated as potential biochemical markers of neural cell injury in animals and humans. This study aimed to investigate the association between POCD, brain injury and serum concentrations of S100B and NSE after periodontal surgery in aged dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational animal study. ANIMALS: A total of 24 male and female dogs undergoing periodontal surgery. METHODS: Dogs were separated into two groups based on age: control group, 10 dogs ≤ 8 years and aged group, 14 dogs > 8 years. Cognitive function was measured preoperatively and on the seventh postoperative day using the Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Rating scale and the Age-Related Cognitive and Affective Disorders scale. S100B protein and NSE serum concentrations were measured before and immediately after the surgery. RESULTS: POCD was not observed after surgery in the present study. Serum concentrations of S100B and NSE were increased postoperatively in the control group but not in the aged group (p = 0.04 and 0.03, respectively). Preoperative S100B serum concentrations were significantly higher in the aged group (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: There was no association between POCD and high concentrations of S100B and NSE in dogs. However, increased postoperative serum concentrations of S100B and NSE were found in the control group after surgery, an effect that may indicate neural damage. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results suggest that anesthesia and oral surgery are associated with higher postoperative serum concentrations of S100B and NSE in dogs ≤ 8 years old, which may indicate neural damage. Serum concentrations of S100B were elevated in aged dogs before anesthesia, a finding that might be related to chronic preoperative brain damage.

Serum level of nerve growth factor is a potential biomarker of conversion to bipolar disorder in women with major depressive disorder.

AIM: The aim of this study was to identify biomarkers associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) and conversion from MDD to bipolar disorder (BD) in an outpatient sample of women. METHODS: This was a longitudinal study including women diagnosed with MDD and aged 18 to 60 years. The follow-up was 3 years. The diagnosis was performed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Plus. Blood collection was just performed in the first phase. Serum interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor, and nerve growth factor (NGF) levels were measured using a commercial immunoassay kit. RESULTS: We included 156 women. The conversion rate from MDD to BD was 15.4% (n = 24). NGF serum levels were increased in patients who converted to BD compared to the remitted MDD group and current MDD group (P = 0.013). The Bonferroni post-hoc test for multiple comparisons revealed significant differences for higher NGF levels in patients who converted to BD compared to patients with current MDD (P = 0.037). Interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor serum levels did not differ among the groups. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that NGF might be a useful biomarker associated with early detection of conversion to BD, helping clinicians in the clinical diagnosis.

Association between obesity and suicide in woman, but not in man: a population-based study of young adults.

The relationship between obesity and suicide risk is still unclear with controversial research results. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between obesity and suicide risk for men and women in a population-based study of young adults. This is a cross-sectional population-based study that identified young adults between 18 and 35 years of age. Suicide risk was investigated through the structured clinical interview Mini. Weight and height were assessed, and participants were classified as normal-weight body mass index (BMI < 30) or obese (BMI > 30). The prevalence of obesity was of 19.9% of the total sample (n = 1953). Obesity was more prevalent among women and participants between 27 and 35 years of age. Suicide risk was present in 13.0% of the sample and more prevalent among women. In our study we found an association between obesity and suicide risk for women, but not for men. Obesity was associated with a higher prevalence of suicide risk in women. Given the strength of the relationship between BMI and suicide, identifying the mechanisms associated with obesity, especially for women, can lead to new insights into the prevention of suicide risk.

S100B protein and neuron-specific enolase as predictors of cognitive dysfunction after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) may be related to the systemic inflammatory response and an increase in serum markers of brain injury such as S100B protein and neuron-specific enolase (NSE). OBJECTIVE: The study aims to evaluate the association between POCD and serum levels of S100B and NSE after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG). DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Single university teaching hospital. PATIENTS: We investigated 88 patients undergoing CABG. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Cognitive function was measured preoperatively, and at the 21st and 180th postoperative days (i.e. 6 months after surgery). S100B protein and NSE serum levels were evaluated preoperatively, after induction of anaesthesia, at the end of surgery and at 6 and 24 h after surgery. RESULTS: The incidence of POCD was 26.1% at 21 days after surgery and 22.7% at 6 months after surgery. Increased serum levels of S100B protein and NSE were observed postoperatively and may indicate brain damage. CONCLUSION: Although serum levels of S100B protein and NSE are both significantly increased postoperatively, our findings indicate that serum levels of S100B protein may be more accurate than NSE in the detection of POCD after CABG. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01550159.

Stress, depression, quality of life and salivary cortisol levels in community health agents.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of and factors associated with depression and stress with perceived quality of life and the salivary cortisol levels in Community Health Agent (CHA). Materials and Methods Cross-sectional descriptive study of CHAs in Pelotas-RS, Brazil. Data collection, including sociodemographic information and factors related to work and health. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) II was used to assess depressive symptoms, Inventory of Stress Symptoms Lipp (ISSL) was used for the analysis of stress and the WHOQOL-BREF was used to investigate quality of life. Salivary cortisol was quantified via ELISA test. RESULTS: The assessments showed that 71.0% are in a state of stress resistance, 30.5% were in the alert state of stress and 32.8% were in the stress state of exhaustion. Depressive episodes (BDI≥12) were observed in 28.2%. The environmental domain had the lowest score for quality of life. We observed significantly higher salivary cortisol levels in CHAs with less than 1 year of service and with the lowest quality of life scores in the environmental subsection. CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of stress and depression was observed in this sample of CHAs. In addition, the worst levels of quality of life were identified in the environmental subsection. Cortisol levels corroborate these findings regarding quality of life within the environmental domain and began working less than a year previously.

Increased serum neurotrophin levels related to alcohol use disorder in a young population sample.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of alcohol use disorder is based on clinical signs and on the measurement of biological markers. However, these markers are neither sufficiently sensitive, nor specific enough, for determining the effects of alcohol abuse on the central nervous system. Serum neurotrophins are important regulators of neural survival, development, function, and plasticity and have been found to be reduced in alcohol use disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate the alterations in serum neurotrophin levels (brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF], glial-derived neurotrophic factor [GDNF], and nerve growth factor [NGF]) in alcohol use disorder in a young population, and thus possibly representing the early stages of the illness. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, nested in a population-based study of people aged 18 to 35, involving 795 participants. The participants responded to the CAGE questionnaire, and a CAGE score of ≥2 was considered to be a positive screen for the abuse/dependence or moderate to severe alcohol use disorder. Serum BDNF, GDNF, and NGF levels were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: In the CAGE ≥ 2 group, GDNF (p ≤ 0.001) and NGF (p ≤ 0.001) serum levels were significantly increased, and the BDNF elevation was near a statistical significance (p = 0.068) when compared to the CAGE < 2 group. A significantly positive correlation was observed only in the CAGE ≥ 2 group for BDNF/GDNF (r = 0.37, p < 0.001) and GDNF/NGF (r = 0.84, p < 0.001) levels. The correlation between the NGF and BDNF levels was significantly positive in both groups (r = 0.28, p < 0.001 for the CAGE < 2 group, and r = 0.30, p = 0.008 for the CAGE ≥ 2 group). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that elevated neurotrophins are candidate markers for the early stages of alcohol misuse.

Neurotrophic factors, clinical features and gender differences in depression.

Recent studies have evaluated the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in mood disorders; however, little is known about alterations in nerve growth factor (NGF) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). The aim of this study was to evaluate differences among serum neurotrophic factors (BDNF, NGF and GDNF) in depressed patients and healthy controls and to verify the association between serum neurotrophic levels and clinical characteristics in a young, depressed population stratified by gender. This is a cross-sectional study with depressed patients and population controls 18-29 years of age. The concentrations of neurotrophic factors were determined by the ELISA method. The diagnosis of depression and the duration of the disease were assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview according to the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. Depression severity was measured with the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, and the severity of anxiety symptoms was measured using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. Serum BDNF and GDNF were lower in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients compared to controls (p ≤ 0.001). Serum NGF levels were higher in MDD patients versus controls (p ≤ 0.001). BDNF was associated with the duration of disease only in women (p = 0.005). GDNF was not associated with clinical characteristics in either gender. In women, NGF was associated with the severity of depressive symptoms (p = 0.009), anxiety (p = 0.011) and disease duration (p = 0.005). NGF was associated with disease duration in men (p = 0.026). Our results demonstrated that significant neurochemical differences in NGF and BDNF, but not in GDNF, were associated with the clinical features of MDD when patients were stratified by gender.

Reduced serum levels of neuron specific enolase (NSE) in drug-naïve subjects with major depression and bipolar disorder.

Several biological factors have been recently related with major depression and bipolar disorder. The aim of our paper was to investigate the peripheral levels of the protein neuronal specific enolase (NSE), a putative marker of neuronal damage, comparing patients with major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder to control subjects. This is a case-control study nested in a cross-sectional population-based survey. Psychopathology screen was performed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview 5.0 and blood samples were collected from 108 young adults. Three groups were selected, 36 healthy controls, 36 subjects with major depression disorder and 36 subjects with bipolar disorder. Serum levels of NSE significantly decreased (p = 0.002) in major depression disorder (2.19 ± 1.78 ng/mL) and bipolar disorder subjects (2.53 ± 2.61 ng/mL) compared to the control group (3.55 ± 2.19 ng/mL). In conclusion, peripheral neuronal specific enolase may be a useful marker drug-naïve major depression disorder and bipolar disorder, but its pathophysiological significance and response to treatment should be further investigated.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor in post-partum depressive mothers.

UNLABELLED: Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most common psychiatric complication observed in women after they give birth. Some women are particularly sensitive to hormonal changes, starting in early menarche, thus increasing their vulnerability to psychological stressing agents that are triggered by environmental and physiological factors throughout their lives. Decreased serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels have been associated to different neuropsychiatric conditions and BDNF has been considered as a candidate marker for such dysfunctions. The goal of this study was to compare the levels of BDNF between mothers who suffer from PPD and healthy control mothers as well as to searching for associations between BDNF levels and the severity of PPD. This is a case-control study including 36 mothers with PPD and 36 healthy control mothers. PPD was defined according to the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Serum BDNF was assayed with the sandwich ELISA method. RESULTS: Serum levels of BDNF were significantly lower in women with PPD than in control mothers (P ≤ 0.03). A significant negative correlation between BDI score and serum BDNF levels was observed (P ≤ 0.02 and r = -0.29). Our study demonstrated that low BDNF levels are associated with PPD. This result point out to the potential usage of BDNF in the screening of PPD, which could promote early treatment and, therefore, reduce the burden to the PPD women and to the health system.

Interleukin-6 and Interleukin-10 in mood disorders: A population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess if cytokines levels (IL-6 and IL-10) are related to major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD), in a population-based study. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study population-based, involving 1037 people aged 18-35. MDD, BD, anxiety and suicide risk were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Serum IL-6 and IL-10 were measured by ELISA using a commercial kit. RESULTS: The total sample comprised 1034 young adults, being 14.4% with MDD and 13.7% with BD. MDD and BD groups showed significantly higher serum IL-6 levels (p ≤ 0.001) and IL-10 levels (p ≤ 0.001) when compared to healthy control group. No correlation was found between serum IL-6 and IL-10 levels in health control group (p = 0.830; r = -0.008), non-suicide risk (p = 0.337; r = 0.032) and non-anxiety disorder (p = 0.375; r = 0.031). Covariance analysis showed that mood disorders alone, increase both interleukin levels (IL-6, p = 0.019; and IL-10, p = 0.026), whilst the interaction of mood disorders and suicide risk or anxiety disorders did not. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that inflammatory dysregulation may be involved in the physiopathology of mood disorders and serum IL-6 and IL-10 levels are putative biomarkers for these disorders.

Job satisfaction and work overload among mental health nurses in the south of Brazil. / Satisfação profissional e sobrecarga de trabalho de enfermeiros da área de saúde mental.

This study assessed job satisfaction and work overload among doctors, nurses, psychologists, and nursing technicians working in community mental health services and conducted a comparison between nurses and other healthcare professionals. Using convenience sampling, a cross-sectional study was conducted with 61 healthcare professionals working in psychosocial care centers in a municipality located in the South Region of Brazil. Data was collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, work impact assessment scale (Impacto - Br), and mental health professional satisfaction scale (Satis - Br). Data analysis was performed using the statistical software package SPSS 21.0. The average overall work overload score of nurses was 2.92 ± 0.42 and the average overall job satisfaction score was 3.38 ± 0.51. The level of satisfaction of nurses with the quality of services provided was lower than that of other professionals (3.36 ± 0.77 compared to 3.78 ± 0.56, respectively; p = 0.04). The factor that had the greatest negative influence on work overload among nurses was feeling physically tired (2.99 ± 0.92), while the factor that had the greatest positive influence on job satisfaction was good working relationships (4.06 ± 0.65).

Avaliar a satisfação profissional e a sobrecarga de trabalho dos enfermeiros atuantes em serviços de saúde mental e realizar uma comparação em relação aos demais profissionais do serviço. Estudo transversal, com amostragem por critério de conveniência, realizado em 2016 com 61 profissionais da área de saúde mental dos Centros de atenção psicossocial de um município localizado no extremo sul do Brasil. Para coleta de dados foi aplicado um questionário sociodemográfico e as Escalas de avaliação do impacto do trabalho (Impacto-Br) e de satisfação da equipe (Satis-Br). A análise dos dados foi realizada através do programa SPSS 21.0.O nível de sobrecarga global dos enfermeiros foi de 2,92 ± 0,42 e de satisfação global de 3,38 ± 0,51. Quando avaliado os escores na escala Satis-Br, houve uma diminuição estatisticamente significativa nos níveis de satisfação dos enfermeiros (3,36 ± 0,77) em relação aos demais profissionais atuantes no serviço (3,78 ± 0,56) no escore qualidade dos serviços oferecido (p = 0,04). O fator que promoveu maior nível de sobrecarga de trabalho entre os enfermeiros estão relacionados ao sentimento de se sentir fisicamente cansado (2,99 ± 0,92). Já o fator que promoveu maior satisfação profissional está relacionado ao bom relacionamento com a equipe (4,06 ± 0,65).

Metabolic syndrome and psychiatric disorders: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the association of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and psychiatric disorders in young adults in southern Brazil. METHODS: This population based cross-sectional study involved a total of 1,023 young adults between the ages of 21 and 32 years. Current episodes of psychiatric disorders were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview - Plus version. MetS was evaluated using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP III). RESULTS: Of the 1,023 participants, 24.3% were identified with MetS, 13.5% were diagnosed with anxiety disorders, 7.5% with current depression, 3.9% with bipolar disorders and 10.1% were at risk of suicide. MetS was associated with ethnicity (p = 0.022), excess weight (p < 0.001), current anxiety disorders (p < 0.001), current mood disorders (bipolar disorder in mood episode and current depression) (p < 0.001), and suicide risk (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: MetS was associated with psychiatric disorders. Awareness of factors associated with MetS can help identify high-risk individuals and stimulate disease prevention and control programs, as well as lifestyle changes.

Metabolic syndrome, depression and anhedonia among young adults.

The aim of this study was to assess the association between anhedonia and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a well-characterized community sample of individuals with a current depressive episode. This is a cross-sectional study with young adults aged 24-30 years old. Depressive episode and the presence of anhedonia was assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview - Plus version (MINI Plus). The MetS was assessed using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP III). The sample included 931 subjects, being 22 had depression without anhedonia, whereas 55 had depression with anhedonia. MetS was more prevalent among subjects with depression and anhedonia (43.6%) when compared to individuals without anhedonia and population control group. Moreover, subjects with depression and anhedonia have a significant increase of levels of glucose, triglycerides, total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, as well as significant decreased in the HDL-cholesterol level. The present study showed that individuals with depression and anhedonia present higher prevalence of MetS. Our study suggests that the use of the concept of anhedonia may contribute to a better understanding of the complex relationship between depression and metabolic syndrome.

Serum Biomarkers and Clinical Outcomes in Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: A plethora of reactive cellular responses emerge immediately after a traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) and may influence the patient's outcomes. We investigated whether serum concentrations of neuron-specific enolase, interleukin-6, glial-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophic growth factor reflect the acute-phase responses to different etiologies of SCI and may serve as predictive biomarkers of neurologic and functional outcomes. METHODS: Fifty-two patients were admitted to the intensive care unit after SCI due to traffic accidents, falls, and firearm wounds and had blood samples collected within 48 hours and 7 days after SCI. Thirty-six healthy subjects with no history of SCI were included as controls. Neurologic and functional status was evaluated on the basis of American Spinal Injury Association and Functional Independence Measure scores over a period of 48 hours and 6 months after SCI. RESULTS: Serum NSE increased significantly 48 hours and 7 days after SCI compared with controls, while interleukin-6 increased only at 48 hours. In contrast, the neurotrophic growth factor level significantly decreased 48 hours and 7 days after SCI. Serum glial-derived neurotrophic factor level did not differ from control at any time point. Also, there was no significant difference in biomarker concentrations between the etiologies of SCI or the level of spinal injury. There were no correlations between biomarker levels at 48 hours with neurologic or functional outcomes 7 days and 6 months after SCI. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest expansive axonal damage coupled with an acute proinflammatory response after SCI. However, in our study biomarker concentration did not correlate with short- or long-term prognosis, such as survival rate or sensory and motor function.

Childhood trauma and increased peripheral cytokines in young adults with major depressive: Population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of childhood trauma in cytokine serum levels of individuals with MDD. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study population-based, with people aged 18 to 35. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I) measured to current major depressive disorder (MDD). To evaluate traumatic experiences during childhood, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) was applied. Serum TNF- α, IL-6 and IL-10 levels were measured by ELISA using a commercial kit. RESULTS: The total sample comprised 166 young adults, of these: 40.4% were subjects with MDD and childhood trauma and 59.6% were diagnosed with MDD without childhood trauma. In relation to serum interleukin levels, subjects with childhood trauma showed a significantly higher serum IL-6 (p = 0.013) and IL-10 levels (p = 0.022) to compare no childhood trauma. Subjects with childhood trauma was observed positive correlation between serum IL-6 and physical abuse (r = 0.232, p = 0.035) and emotional abuse (r = 0.460, p ≤ 0.001). Moreover, IL-10 were positive correlation with physical abuse (r = 0.258, p = 0.013). TNF- α was not associated with childhood trauma. CONCLUSION: Childhood maltreatment may result higher inflammation dysregulation in individuals with depression than individuals that no has childhood maltreatment.

Serum GDNF levels and anxiety disorders in a population-based study of young adults.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to verify the serum GDNF levels in individuals with anxiety disorder (AD) in a population-based study. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study population-based, with people aged 18 to 35. AD's assessment was performed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I). Serum GDNF was measured by ELISA using a commercial kit. RESULTS: The prevalence was 3.3% for post-traumatic stress disorder, 6.7% for panic disorders, 17% generalized anxiety disorder, 5.1% for obsessive- compulsive disorder and 7.5% for social phobia. Serum GDNF levels was higher in individuals with panic disorders (p = 0.013), generalized anxiety (p = 0.035), obsessive- compulsive disorder (p = 0.005) and social phobia (p = 0.004), when compared to individuals without ADs. Only post traumatic stress disorder is not associated with serum GDNF levels (p = 0.119). CONCLUSION: In this paper, we observed increased serum levels of GDNF in individuals with anxiety disorders, suggesting that this biomarker can be used as a putative marker for AD's. The knowledge of the physiological changes related to anxiety disorders can provide a better understanding of AD's pathogenesis, as well as, mechanisms involved in the progression of this condition.

Serum levels of interleukins IL-6 and IL-10 in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder in a population-based sample.

To evaluate the serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 anti-inflammatory interleukins in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a population-based study. This is a paired study nested in a cross-sectional population-based study. All individuals who presented PTSD and did not present major depressive disorder, diagnostic by interview--Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview were selected. From these, 41 healthy controls were matched by sex and age. Serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were measured by the ELISA, using commercial kits. The group of individuals with PTSD showed a significant increase in the serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10. Our results suggest that individuals with PTSD may present an activation of the immune system, which may lead to neuroinflammation.

Gender differences of cannabis smoking on serum leptin levels: population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the serum leptin levels in cannabis smokers. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional population-based study of participants between the ages of 18 and 35 years. The data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic data and the use of psychoactive substances. Leptin levels were measured using a commercial ELISA kit. RESULTS: Of the 911 participants, 6.7% were identified as cannabis smokers and had significantly lower leptin levels (p = 0.008). When stratified by gender, there was a significant decrease in leptin levels among male smokers (p = 0.039). CONCLUSION: Cannabis smoking was linked to leptin levels in men, suggesting that the response to biological signals may be different between men and women.