Methods of dignosing or treating depression on basis of increased cerebrospinal fluid levels of neurotrodhin 3

A method of monitoring the progression of depression, in particular major depression, in a subject, comprising:

• determining a level, or an activity, or both said level and said activity, of neurotrophin 3 and/or of a transcription product of a gene coding for neurotrophin 3 in a sample from said subject;
• and comparing said level, or said activity, or both said level and said activity, to a reference value representing a known disease or health status, thereby monitoring the progression of depression in said subject.

A method of evaluating a treatment for depression, in particular major depression, comprising:

• determining a level, or an activity, or both said level and said activity, of neurotrophin 3 and/or of a transcription product of a gene coding for neurotrophin 3 in a sample from said subject;
• and comparing said level, or said activity, or both said level and said activity, to a reference value representing a known disease or health status,
• thereby evaluating said treatment for depression.

A method of treating or preventing depression, in particular major depression, in a subject comprising administering to said subject in a therapeutically effective amount an agent or agents which directly or indirectly affect an activity, or level, or both said activity and level, of at least one substance which is selected from the group consisting of a gene coding for neurotrophin 3, a transcription product of a gene coding for neurotrophin 3, and neurotrophin 3.

Use of an agent for the manufacture of a medicament for treating depression, in particular major depression, wherein said agent directly or indirectly affects an activity, or a level, or both said activity and level, of at least one substance which is selected from the group consisting of a gene coding for neurotrophin 3, a transcription product of a gene coding for neurotrophin 3, and neurotrophin 3.

A method for identifying an agent that directly or indirectly affects an activity, or a level, or both said activity and level, of at least one substance which is selected from the group consisting of a gene coding for neurotrophin 3, a transcription product of a gene coding for neurotrophin 3, and neurotrophin 3, comprising the steps of:

• (a)providing a sample containing at least one substance which is selected from the group consisting of a gene coding for neurotrophin 3, a transcription product of a gene coding for neurotrophin 3, and neurotrophin 3;
• (b)contacting said sample with at least one agent;
• (c) comparing an activity, or a level, or both said activity and level, of at least one of said substances before and after said contacting.