For the co-morbidities, sensitivity analyses removing the co-morbidities showed a significantly higher level of hs-CRP in probable MDD (n=3, 0.44±0.16 ng/mL), compared to HC (n=53, -0.09±0.43 ng/mL, p=0.036) (Supplementary Table 2A), and borderline higher BDNF. This evidence concerns the gene BDNF and major depressive disorder.