Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 Implicated in Childhood Anxiety and Depression Symptoms

Abstract

Background: Research links fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) to anxiety and depression in rodents and human adults. Our study is the first to examine FGF2 levels in a pediatric population.

Methods: We assayed serum FGF2 in 163 children with a broad range of anxiety and depressive symptoms; 111 were clinic-referred anxious and depressed children; 52 were non-referred children. We examined associations between FGF2 and anxiety and depression symptoms, and between each of the three facets of behavioral activation (Reward-Responsiveness, Drive, Fun-Seeking) and behavioral avoidance. We used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to determine the relative contribution of anxiety and depression indicators and of FGF2 to a latent variable of Anxiety/Depression. We also examined stability of FGF2 levels.

Results: FGF2 levels in clinic-referred children were significantly lower compared with non-referred children. Bivariate correlations and CFA showed negative associations between FGF2 and anxiety, depression and behavioral avoidance. FGF2 levels were positively correlated with the Reward-Responsiveness facet of behavioral activation, implicated in depression. FGF2 levels were stable over six months.

Limitations: We did not have data on behavioral avoidance and stability of FGF2 in the entire sample.

Conclusions: Our results implicate FGF2 in anxiety and depression in children, providing an important first step in showing FGF2 may serve as a stable biomarker for these prevalent and impairing problems.

Keywords: Anxiety; Children; Depression; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2.