@article{GoltzJanowitzHannemannetal.2018, author = {Goltz, Annemarie and Janowitz, Deborah and Hannemann, Anke and Nauck, Matthias and Hoffmann, Johanna and Seyfart, Tom and V{\"o}lzke, Henry and Terock, Jan and Grabe, Hans J.}, title = {Association of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Vitamin D with Depression and Obesity: A Population-Based Study}, journal = {Neuropsychobiology}, volume = {76}, number = {4}, issn = {0302-282X}, doi = {10.1159/000489864}, institution = {Klinik f{\"u}r Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie}, pages = {171 -- 181}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Background: Depression and obesity are widespread and closely linked. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vitamin D are both assumed to be associated with depression and obesity. Little is known about the interplay between vitamin D and BDNF. We explored the putative associations and interactions between serum BDNF and vitamin D levels with depressive symptoms and abdominal obesity in a large population-based cohort. Methods: Data were obtained from the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP)-Trend (n = 3,926). The associations of serum BDNF and vitamin D levels with depressive symptoms (measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire) were assessed with binary and multinomial logistic regression models. The associations of serum BDNF and vitamin D levels with obesity (measured by the waist-to-hip ratio [WHR]) were assessed with binary logistic and linear regression models with restricted cubic splines. Results: Logistic regression models revealed inverse associations of vitamin D with depression (OR = 0.966; 95\% CI 0.951-0.981) and obesity (OR = 0.976; 95\% CI 0.967-0.985). No linear association of serum BDNF with depression or obesity was found. However, linear regression models revealed a U-shaped association of BDNF with WHR (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Vitamin D was inversely associated with depression and obesity. BDNF was associated with abdominal obesity, but not with depression. At the population level, our results support the relevant roles of vitamin D and BDNF in mental and physical health-related outcomes.}, subject = {-}, language = {en} }