@article{DeekenHaeuslerNordheimetal.2017,
  author    = {Deeken, Friederike and H{\"a}usler, Andreas and Nordheim, Johanna and Rapp, Michael Armin and Knoll, Nina and Rieckmann, Nina},
  title     = {Psychometric properties of the Perceived Stress Scale in a sample of German dementia patients and their caregivers},
  series = {International psychogeriatrics},
  volume    = {30},
  journal   = {International psychogeriatrics},
  number    = {1},
  publisher = {Cambridge Univ. Press},
  address   = {New York},
  issn      = {1041-6102},
  doi       = {10.1017/S1041610217001387},
  pages     = {39 -- 47},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate the psychometric characteristics of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) in a sample of dementia patients and their spousal caregivers. Methods: We investigated the reliability and validity of the 14-item PSS in a sample of 80 couples, each including one spouse who had been diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia (mean age 75.55, SD = 5.85, 38.7\% female) and one spousal caregiver (mean age 73.06, SD = 6.75, 61.3\% female). We also examined the factor structure and sensitivity of the scale with regard to gender differences. Results: Exploratory factor analysis of the PSS revealed a two-factor solution for the scale; the first factor reflected general stress while the second factor consisted of items reflecting the perceived ability to cope with stressors. A confirmatory factor analysis verified that the data were a better fit for the two-factor model than a one-factor model. The two factors of the PSS showed good reliability for patients as well as for caregivers ranging between alpha = 0.73 and alpha = 0.82. Perceived stress was significantly positively correlated with depressive symptomatology in both caregivers and patients. Mean PSS scores did not significantly differ between male and female patients nor did they differ between male and female caregivers. Conclusion: The present data indicate that the PSS provides a reliable and valid measure of perceived stress in dementia patients and their caregivers.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{KuhlmannTschornAroltetal.2017,
  author    = {Kuhlmann, Stella L. and Tschorn, Mira and Arolt, Volker and Beer, Katja and Brandt, Julia and Grosse, Laura and Haverkamp, Wilhelm and Mueller-Nordhorn, Jacqueline and Rieckmann, Nina and Waltenberger, Johannes and Warnke, Katharina and Hellweg, Rainer and Stroehle, Andreas},
  title     = {Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor and depressive symptoms in coronary heart disease patients: Role of cognitive functions Reply},
  series = {Psychoneuroendocrinology},
  volume    = {79},
  journal   = {Psychoneuroendocrinology},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  address   = {Oxford},
  issn      = {0306-4530},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.02.010},
  pages     = {175 -- 176},
  year      = {2017},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{KuhlmannTschornAroltetal.2017,
  author    = {Kuhlmann, Stella and Tschorn, Mira and Arolt, Volker and Beer, Katja and Brandt, Julia and Grosse, Laura and Haverkamp, Wilhelm and M{\"u}ller-Nordhorn, Jacqueline and Rieckmann, Nina and Waltenberger, Johannes and Warnke, Katharina and Hellweg, Rainer and Str{\"o}hle, Andreas},
  title     = {Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor and stability of depressive symptoms in coronary heart disease patients},
  series = {Psychoneuroendocrinology : an international journal ; the official journal of the International Society of Psychoneuroendocrinology},
  volume    = {77},
  journal   = {Psychoneuroendocrinology : an international journal ; the official journal of the International Society of Psychoneuroendocrinology},
  publisher = {Elsevier Science},
  address   = {Oxford},
  issn      = {0306-4530},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.12.015},
  pages     = {196 -- 202},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Objective: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) supports neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and promotes the survival of various cell types in the brain and the coronary system. Moreover, BDNF is associated with both coronary heart disease (CHD) and depression. The current study aims to investigate whether serum BDNF levels are associated with the course of depressive symptoms in CHD patients. Methods: At baseline, N = 225 CHD patients were enrolled while hospitalized. Of these, N = 190 (84\%) could be followed up 6 months later. Depressive symptoms were assessed both at baseline and at the 6-months follow-up using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Serum BDNF concentrations were measured using fluorometric Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Results: Logistic regression models showed that lower BDNF levels were associated with persistent depressive symptoms, even after adjustment for age, sex, smoking and potential medical confounders. The incidence of depressive symptoms was not related to lower BDNF levels. However, somatic comorbidity (as measured by the Charlson Comorbidity Index) was significantly associated with the incidence of depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Our findings suggest a role of BDNF in the link between CHD and depressive symptoms. Particularly, low serum BDNF levels could be considered as a valuable biomarker for the persistence of depressive symptoms among depressed CHD patients.},
  language  = {en}
}