Several studieson relatively small numbers of depressed subjects (30–50) examining othersystemic aspects of depression – inflammation and the acute phase response– have reported on some measures that overlap with those we examined.Total serum protein [29], albumin [30], as well as RBC, HGB andHCT [31]have been reported as decreased in depression, unlike the increase we report in ourpopulation. The gene discussed is ALB; the disease is major depressive disorder.