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Madsen CA, Navarro ML, Elfving B, Kessing LV, Castrén E, Mikkelsen JD, Knudsen GM. The effect of antidepressant treatment on blood BDNF levels in depressed patients: A review and methodological recommendations for assessment of BDNF in blood. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2024; 87:35-55. [PMID: 39079257 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent psychiatric disorder and a leading cause of disability worldwide. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a signaling protein responsible for promoting neuroplasticity, is highly expressed in the central nervous system but can also be found in the blood. Since impaired brain plasticity is considered a cornerstone in the pathophysiology of MDD, measurement of BDNF in blood has been proposed as a potential biomarker in MDD. The aim of our study is to systematically review the literature for the effects of antidepressant treatments on blood BDNF levels in MDD and the suitability of blood BDNF as a biomarker for depression severity and antidepressant response. We searched Pubmed® and Cochrane library up to March 2024 in a systematic manner using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). The search resulted in a total of 42 papers, of which 30 were included in this systematic review. Generally, we found that patients with untreated MDD have a lower blood BDNF level than healthy controls. Antidepressant treatments increase blood BDNF levels, and more evidently after pharmacological than non-pharmacological treatment. Neither baseline nor change in the blood BDNF level correlates with depression severity or treatment outcome, which undermines its use as a biomarker in MDD. Our review also highlights the importance of considering factors influencing the accuracy and reproducibility of BDNF measurements. We summarize considerations to help obtain more robust blood BDNF values and compile a list of recommendations to help streamline assessment of blood BDNF levels in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara A Madsen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Miriam L Navarro
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Betina Elfving
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Lars V Kessing
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Mental Health Services Capital Region, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eero Castrén
- Neuroscience Center / HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jens D Mikkelsen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Institute of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gitte M Knudsen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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2
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Zelada MI, Garrido V, Liberona A, Jones N, Zúñiga K, Silva H, Nieto RR. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) as a Predictor of Treatment Response in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14810. [PMID: 37834258 PMCID: PMC10572866 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been studied as a biomarker of major depressive disorder (MDD). Besides diagnostic biomarkers, clinically useful biomarkers can inform response to treatment. We aimed to review all studies that sought to relate BDNF baseline levels, or BDNF polymorphisms, with response to treatment in MDD. In order to achieve this, we performed a systematic review of studies that explored the relation of BDNF with both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment. Finally, we reviewed the evidence that relates peripheral levels of BDNF and BDNF polymorphisms with the development and management of treatment-resistant depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Ignacio Zelada
- Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - Verónica Garrido
- Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - Andrés Liberona
- Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - Natalia Jones
- Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - Karen Zúñiga
- Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - Hernán Silva
- Clínica Psiquiátrica Universitaria, Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
- Departamento de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental Norte, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - Rodrigo R. Nieto
- Clínica Psiquiátrica Universitaria, Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
- Departamento de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental Norte, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
- Departamento de Neurociencias, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
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3
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Kosanovic Rajacic B, Sagud M, Begic D, Nikolac Perkovic M, Dvojkovic A, Ganoci L, Pivac N. Plasma Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in First-Episode and Recurrent Major Depression and before and after Bright Light Therapy in Treatment-Resistant Depression. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1425. [PMID: 37759825 PMCID: PMC10526351 DOI: 10.3390/biom13091425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is implicated in the etiology and treatment response in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, peripheral BDNF concentrations have not been compared across different MDD stages. Bright light therapy (BLT) offers some potential in treatment-resistant depression (TRD), but its effects on BDNF levels are unknown. This study included a cross-sectional analysis of plasma BDNF concentration in females with TRD, unmedicated MDD patients, and healthy controls (HC), and measurements of longitudinal BLT effects on plasma BDNF levels in TRD patients. The present study included 55 drug-naïve, first-episode patients, 25 drug-free recurrent-episode MDD patients, 71 HC participants, and 54 TRD patients. Patients were rated by Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD)-17 and the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Patients with TRD received BLT during 4 weeks. The total HAMD-17 and MADRS scores decreased following BLT. All patient groups had lower plasma BDNF than HC, but BDNF levels did not differ between first- and recurrent-episode BDNF patients and TRD patients before or after BLT. However, responders and remitters to BLT had higher post-treatment plasma BDNF concentrations than patients who did not achieve response or remission. The changes in plasma BDNF levels may be candidates for biomarkers of treatment response to BLT in TRD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biljana Kosanovic Rajacic
- Department for Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (B.K.R.); (M.S.); (D.B.)
| | - Marina Sagud
- Department for Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (B.K.R.); (M.S.); (D.B.)
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Drazen Begic
- Department for Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (B.K.R.); (M.S.); (D.B.)
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Matea Nikolac Perkovic
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Anja Dvojkovic
- University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce, 10090 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Lana Ganoci
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Division for Pharmacogenomics and Therapy Individualization, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Nela Pivac
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- University of Applied Sciences Hrvatsko Zagorje Krapina, 49000 Krapina, Croatia
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4
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Bioque M, Mac-Dowell KS, Font C, Meseguer A, Macau E, Garcia-Orellana M, Valentí M, Leza JC, Bernardo M. Acute effects of a session of electroconvulsive therapy on brain-derived neurotrophic factor plasma levels. SPANISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY AND MENTAL HEALTH 2023; 16:137-142. [PMID: 32674992 DOI: 10.1016/j.rpsm.2020.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) are neurotrophins that play critical roles in brain neuronal function. Previous studies have established the association between BDNF and NGF signaling and severe mental disorders, but changes in BDNF plasma levels and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) response are controversial. The aim of his study was to explore the acute effects of a single session of ECT on these neurotrophins signaling. Plasma levels of BDNF and NGF and their tyrosine kinase-type receptors expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were determined before and two hours after a single ECT session in 30 subjects with a severe mental disorder. Two hours after an ECT session we found a statistically significant decrease of BDNF plasma levels (p=0.007). We did not find significant acute effects on NGF plasma levels or receptors expression in PBMCs. We found a significant inverse correlation between the time of convulsion and BDNF plasma levels decrease (r=-0.041, p=0.024). We have identified a decrease in BDNF plasma levels after 2h of a single ECT session. These results indicate the interest for future research in the role of neurotrophins in the response and safety of ECT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miquel Bioque
- Barcelona Clínic Schizophrenia Unit, Neuroscience Institute, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en red en salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Departament de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Karina S Mac-Dowell
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid University, Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), IUIN; CIBERSAM, Spain
| | - Cristina Font
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid University, Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), IUIN; CIBERSAM, Spain
| | - Ana Meseguer
- Barcelona Clínic Schizophrenia Unit, Neuroscience Institute, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona; CIBERSAM, Spain
| | - Elisabet Macau
- Psychiatry Department, Neuroscience Institute, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Garcia-Orellana
- Anesthesiolgy Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona; Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Valentí
- Barcelona Bipolar Disorder Program, Psychatry Department, Neuroscience Institute, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan C Leza
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid University, Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), IUIN; CIBERSAM, Spain.
| | - Miquel Bernardo
- Barcelona Clínic Schizophrenia Unit, Neuroscience Institute, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en red en salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Departament de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
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5
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Pelosof R, Santos LAD, Farhat LC, Gattaz WF, Talib L, Brunoni AR. BDNF blood levels after electroconvulsive therapy in patients with mood disorders: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. World J Biol Psychiatry 2023; 24:24-33. [PMID: 35332840 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2022.2058083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Studies have suggested Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factors (BDNF) increase after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) although they were methodologically limited and enrolled small sample sizes. We aimed at updating a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore BDNF changes after ECT for the treatment of depression. METHODS PubMed, PsycInfo, Embase and Global health were searched (March, 2021). Clinical trials that measured BDNF in the blood before and after ECT in adults (≥ 18 years old) with depression (major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder) were eligible. Data were pooled through random-effects meta-analyses. RESULTS Twenty-eight studies involving 778 participants were included. Meta-analysis showed a significant increase in BDNF levels after ECT (Hedges' g = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.10, 0.46) while there was evidence of significant heterogeneity (I2 = 67.64%) but not publication bias/small-study effect. Subgroup analyses and meta-regressions were underpowered to detect significant differences. Meta-analysis of depression severity scores demonstrated a considerable larger treatment effect in reducing depressive symptoms after ECT (Hedge's g = -3.72 95% CI: -4.23, -3.21). CONCLUSION This updated review showed that BDNF blood levels increased after ECT treatment. However, there was still evidence of substantial heterogeneity and there were limited sample sizes to investigate factors driving the variability of effects across studies. Importantly, the increase in BDNF levels was substantially smaller than the observed in depressive symptomatology, which could be indicative that the former was independent than the latter. Additional studies with larger sample sizes are currently required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca Pelosof
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leonardo A Dos Santos
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luis C Farhat
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Wagner F Gattaz
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Service of Interdisciplinary Neuromodulation, Department of Psychiatry, Laboratory of Neurosciences (LIM-27), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leda Talib
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Service of Interdisciplinary Neuromodulation, Department of Psychiatry, Laboratory of Neurosciences (LIM-27), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - André R Brunoni
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Service of Interdisciplinary Neuromodulation, Department of Psychiatry, Laboratory of Neurosciences (LIM-27), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Interdisciplinary Center for Applied Neuromodulation University Hospital, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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6
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Meshkat S, Alnefeesi Y, Jawad MY, D Di Vincenzo J, B Rodrigues N, Ceban F, Mw Lui L, McIntyre RS, Rosenblat JD. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) as a biomarker of treatment response in patients with Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD): A systematic review & meta-analysis. Psychiatry Res 2022; 317:114857. [PMID: 36194941 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Multiple lines of evidence have implicated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The aim of this synthesis was to determine the impact of TRD treatments on peripheral BDNF levels, and ascertain whether these changes are associated with antidepressant effects. Thirty-six articles involving 1198 patients with TRD were included herein. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), ketamine, and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) were the most common TRD treatments investigated. Serum BDNF levels significantly increased in six, two, four and one studies following ECT, ketamine, rTMS and atypical antipsychotics, respectively. The estimated mean baseline serum BDNF concentration in TRD patients ± 95% CI was 15.5 ± 4.34 ng/mL. Peripheral BDNF levels significantly increased overall (Hedges' g ± 95% CI = 0.336 ± 0.302; p < 0.05), but no association with depressive symptoms was found (p ≥ 0.05). These results demonstrate that peripheral measurements of total BDNF (i.e., mature and percursor forms of BDNF) are inadequate predictors of treatment response in TRD patients, and other considerations suggest that this would still apply to separable measurements of mature BDNF and its precursor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakila Meshkat
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yazen Alnefeesi
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Joshua D Di Vincenzo
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nelson B Rodrigues
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Felicia Ceban
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Leanna Mw Lui
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Roger S McIntyre
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Joshua D Rosenblat
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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7
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Ryan KM, McLoughlin DM. Peripheral blood inflammatory markers in depression: Response to electroconvulsive therapy and relationship with cognitive performance. Psychiatry Res 2022; 315:114725. [PMID: 35870295 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The inflammatory response may play a role in depression and the response to antidepressants. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), the most acutely powerful antidepressant treatment, can also affect the innate immune system. Here, we determined circulating blood concentrations of the inflammatory mediators C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α in depressed patients compared to healthy controls and assessed the effect of ECT on their concentrations. Relationships between inflammatory mediator concentrations and mood/cognition scores were also explored. Plasma CRP, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α concentrations were examined in 86 depressed patients and 57 controls. Relationships between inflammatory mediators and clinical or cognitive outcomes following ECT were assessed using correlation and linear regression analyzes, respectively. CRP, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α were elevated in patients at baseline/pre-ECT compared to controls. However, only IL-6 and TNF-α survived adjustment for potential confounders. IL-1β was undetectable in most samples. ECT did not significantly alter plasma concentrations of any of the inflammatory mediators. No relationship was identified between CRP, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α and mood or neurocognitive scores. Overall, our data do not support a major role for these four inflammatory markers in clinical outcomes following ECT or in cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen M Ryan
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin, St. Patrick's University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Declan M McLoughlin
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin, St. Patrick's University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland.
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8
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Subramanian S, Lopez R, Zorumski CF, Cristancho P. Electroconvulsive therapy in treatment resistant depression. J Neurol Sci 2022; 434:120095. [PMID: 34979372 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.120095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a treatment modality for patients with treatment resistant depression (TRD), defined as failure of two adequate antidepressant medication trials. We provide a qualitative review of ECT's effectiveness for TRD, methods to optimize ECT parameters to improve remission rates and side effect profiles, and ECT's proposed neurobiological mechanisms. Right unilateral (RUL) electrode placement has been shown to be as effective for major depression as bilateral ECT, and RUL is associated with fewer cognitive side effects. There is mixed evidence on how to utilize ECT to sustain remission (i.e., continuation ECT, psychotropic medications alone, or a combination of ECT and psychotropic medications). Related to neurobiological mechanisms, an increase in gray matter volume in the hippocampus-amygdala complex is reported post-ECT. High connectivity between the subgenual anterior cingulate and the middle temporal gyrus before ECT is associated with better treatment response. Rodent models have implicated changes in neurotransmitters including glutamate, GABA, serotonin, and dopamine in ECT's efficacy; however, findings in humans are limited. Altogether, while ECT remains a highly effective therapy, the neurobiological underpinnings associated with improvement of depression remain uncertain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subha Subramanian
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine, Harlingen, TX, USA.
| | - Ruthzaine Lopez
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine, Harlingen, TX, USA
| | - Charles F Zorumski
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine, Harlingen, TX, USA
| | - Pilar Cristancho
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine, Harlingen, TX, USA
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9
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Stippl A, Kirkgöze FN, Bajbouj M, Grimm S. Differential Effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder. Neuropsychobiology 2021; 79:408-416. [PMID: 32344410 DOI: 10.1159/000505553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS/METHODS Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is still one of the most potent treatments in the acute phase of major depressive disorder (MDD) and particularly applied in patients considered treatment resistant. However, despite the frequent and widespread use of ECT for >70 years, the exact neurobiological mechanisms underlying its efficacy remain unclear. The present review aims to describe differential antidepressant and cognitive effects of ECT as well as effects on markers of neural activity and connectivity, neurochemistry, and inflammation that might underlie the treatment response and remission. RESULTS Region- specific changes in brain function and volume along with changes in concentrations of neurotransmitters and neuroinflammatory cytokines might serve as potential biomarkers for ECT outcomes. CONCLUSIONS However, as current data is not consistent, future longitudinal investigations should combine modalities such as MRI, MR spectroscopy, and peripheral physiological measures to gain a deeper insight into interconnected time- and modality-specific changes in response to ECT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Stippl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité, University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fatma Nur Kirkgöze
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité, University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Malek Bajbouj
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité, University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Simone Grimm
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité, University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany, .,MSB Medical School Berlin, Berlin, Germany, .,Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University of Zurich, Psychiatric Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland,
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10
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Luan S, Zhou B, Wu Q, Wan H, Li H. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor blood levels after electroconvulsive therapy in patients with major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Asian J Psychiatr 2020; 51:101983. [PMID: 32146142 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2020.101983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Some evidence pointed out that Electro-Convulsive Treatment (ECT) could increase the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in depressive patients. However, there are some disagreements. The purpose of the study is through a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate BDNF levels after ECT in patients with Major depressive disorder. Two independent researchers searched of published articles in the databases of Cochrane Library, PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and WanFang Data, from January 1990 to March 2019. The following key words were used: "depression" or "depressive disorder", "major depressive disorder", "unipolar depression", "brain-derived neurotrophic factor" or "BDNF", and "electroconvulsive" or "ECT". A total of 22 studies met the inclusion criteria of the meta-analysis and included into our analysis. BDNF levels were increased among patients with MDD after ECT (P = 0.000) in plasma samples. The standardized mean difference (SMD) was 0.695 (95 % CI: 0.402-0.988). We also found BDNF levels increased on one week and one month after finishing ECT (SMD = 0.491, 95 %CI: 0.150,0.833, P = 0.005; and SMD = 0.812, 95 %CI: 0.326,1.298, P = 0.001, respectively). Our findings suggest that BDNF levels may increase after ECT and may possibly be used as an indicator of treatment response after one or more weeks of ECT in patients with depression. However, additional investigation of BDNF levels with different ECT durations are needed in responders and non-responders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuxin Luan
- Department of Mental Health, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Bing Zhou
- Department of Surgery, Jilin University Hospital, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Qiong Wu
- Medical Department, The Six Hospital of Changchun, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Hongquan Wan
- Department of Mental Health, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
| | - He Li
- Department of Pain Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
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11
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Zhang X, Xiao W, Chen K, Zhao Y, Ye F, Tang X, Du X. Serum Epidermal Growth Factor is Low in Schizophrenia and Not Affected by Antipsychotics Alone or Combined With Electroconvulsive Therapy. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:104. [PMID: 32194452 PMCID: PMC7062789 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, suggesting possible value as a biomarker for disease severity or treatment response. However, basal EGF levels and changes during treatment are inconsistent across studies. The goal of this study is to compare serum EGF in schizophrenia patients before and after treatment with antipsychotics alone or combined with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). METHOD Patients meeting DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia were recruited from June 2013 to December 2015 (n = 186) and followed up after 8 weeks of treatment with antipsychotics alone (n = 119, drug group) or combined with ECT (n = 67, ECT group). Serum EGF levels were measured by ELISA and compared among patients and 74 healthy control subjects. Psychopathology and clinical effects were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). RESULTS Basal serum EGF was significantly lower in the entire patient cohort compared to healthy controls (P < 0.05). Repeated-measures ANOVA showed no main effect of time (F = 1.273; P = 0.261), time × group interaction (F = 1.228; P = 0.270), main effect of clinical response (F = 0.191; P = 0.663), or group × clinical interaction (F = 1.765; P = 0.186) on serum EGF. Serum EGF levels did not change significantly following antipsychotic drug or combined therapy (P > 0.05). Additionally, neither basal EGF nor EGF change was associated with the clinical response to drug or combined treatment (P > 0.05). However, baseline serum EGF was weakly associated with PANSS positive score (pretreatment: r = 0.206, posttreatment: r = 0.201) and general symptom score (pretreatment: r = -0.244). Serum EGF was also associated with duration of illness (pretreatment: r = 0.285, posttreatment: r = -0.231). CONCLUSIONS Serum EGF concentration is low in schizophrenia but is unchanged following treatment with antipsychotics alone or combined with ECT, regardless of clinical response. Thus, serum EGF is not a surrogate biomarker for treatment response and is unlikely to be involved in the therapeutic mechanisms of antipsychotics or ECT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobin Zhang
- Institute of Mental Health, Suzhou Psychiatric Hospital, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Wenhuan Xiao
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated WuTaiShan Hospital of Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - KuanYu Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated WuTaiShan Hospital of Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Department of Nursing, Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
| | - Yaqin Zhao
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated WuTaiShan Hospital of Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Fei Ye
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated WuTaiShan Hospital of Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xiaowei Tang
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated WuTaiShan Hospital of Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiangdong Du
- Institute of Mental Health, Suzhou Psychiatric Hospital, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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12
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Huang XB, Huang X, He HB, Mei F, Sun B, Zhou SM, Yan S, Zheng W, Ning Y. BDNF and the Antidepressant Effects of Ketamine and Propofol in Electroconvulsive Therapy: A Preliminary Study. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2020; 16:901-908. [PMID: 32308393 PMCID: PMC7147607 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s248190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ketamine and propofol have become increasingly popular in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) anaesthesia. This study was conducted to examine whether changes in serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are associated with the antidepressant effects of ketofol, a combination of ketamine and propofol, in ECT for patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). METHODS Thirty patients with TRD (18-65 years) were enrolled and underwent eight ECT sessions with ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) plus propofol (0.5 mg/kg) (ketofol). Symptom severity was monitored using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), and serum levels of BDNF were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at baseline and after 2, 4, and 8 ECT treatments. Serum levels of BDNF were also collected from thirty healthy controls. RESULTS At baseline, there were no significant differences in serum levels of BDNF between patients with TRD and healthy controls. The response and remission rates in patients with TRD were 100% (30/30) and 53.3% (16/30) after ECT treatment, respectively. Despite a significant reduction in HAMD-17 and BPRS scores after ECT, no changes in serum levels of BDNF were observed after ECT treatment when compared to baseline. No association was found between serum levels of BDNF and changes in illness severity. CONCLUSION Serum levels of BDNF did not represent a suitable candidate biomarker for determining the antidepressant effects of ketofol during ECT for patients with TRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Bing Huang
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiong Huang
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong-Bo He
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Mei
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Sun
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Su-Miao Zhou
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Su Yan
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Zheng
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuping Ning
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
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13
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Hippocampal volume change following ECT is mediated by rs699947 in the promotor region of VEGF. Transl Psychiatry 2019; 9:191. [PMID: 31431610 PMCID: PMC6702208 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-019-0530-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies have shown that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) results in increased hippocampal volume. It is likely that a multitude of mechanisms including neurogenesis, gliogenesis, synaptogenesis, angiogenesis, and vasculogenesis contribute to this volume increase. Neurotrophins, like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) seem to play a crucial mediating role in several of these mechanisms. We hypothesized that two regulatory SNPs in the VEGF and BDNF gene influence the changes in hippocampal volume following ECT. We combined genotyping and brain MRI assessment in a sample of older adults suffering from major depressive disorder to test this hypothesis. Our results show an effect of rs699947 (in the promotor region of VEGF) on hippocampal volume changes following ECT. However, we did not find a clear effect of rs6265 (in BDNF). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study investigating possible genetic mechanisms involved in hippocampal volume change during ECT treatment.
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14
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Vanicek T, Kranz GS, Vyssoki B, Fugger G, Komorowski A, Höflich A, Saumer G, Milovic S, Lanzenberger R, Eckert A, Kasper S, Frey R. Acute and subsequent continuation electroconvulsive therapy elevates serum BDNF levels in patients with major depression. Brain Stimul 2019; 12:1041-1050. [PMID: 31000384 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2019.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The induction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) release and subsequent restoration of neuroplastic homeostasis may underlie the effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). OBJECTIVES We aimed to assess serum and plasma BDNF levels during the course of acute ECT, as well as before and after subsequent continuation ECT, in patients with depression. METHODS We included 24 patients with major depressive disorder (mean age ± SD: 54.5 ± 13.7; f/m: 17/7; baseline 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score of 26.79 ± 4.01). Serum and plasma BDNF (sBDNF, pBDNF) levels were assessed at nine time-points before, during, and after acute ECT series. Data were analysed using linear regression and linear mixed models, which were adjusted for multiple comparisons via Bonferroni correction. Five patients received continuation ECT subsequent to the acute ECT series. In these patients, BDNF levels were assessed before and after each two continuation ECT sessions using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. RESULTS Relative to baseline (mean ng/ml ±SD: 24.68 ± 14.40), sBDNF levels were significantly higher 1 day (33.04 ± 14.11, p = 0.013, corrected), 1 week (37.03 ± 10.29, p < 0.001, corrected), and 1 month (41.05 ± 10.67, p = 0.008, corrected) after the final ECT session, while pBDNF levels did not significantly differ (p > 0.1). Furthermore, our results indicated that sBDNF levels increased after each continuation ECT session. There was no significant association between sBDNF levels and clinical parameters or treatment response. CONCLUSION The absence of an association between changes in sBDNF levels and depressive symptoms challenges the proposed concept of sBDNF/pBDNF as key markers of the effects of ECT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Vanicek
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Waehringerstr 18-20, Austria.
| | - Georg S Kranz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Waehringerstr 18-20, Austria; Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, M1504, Li Ka Shing Tower, Hong Kong; The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, 5 Sassoon R., Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
| | - Benjamin Vyssoki
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Waehringerstr 18-20, Austria.
| | - Gernot Fugger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Waehringerstr 18-20, Austria.
| | - Arkadiusz Komorowski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Waehringerstr 18-20, Austria.
| | - Anna Höflich
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Waehringerstr 18-20, Austria.
| | - Gertraud Saumer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Waehringerstr 18-20, Austria.
| | - Sergej Milovic
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Waehringerstr 18-20, Austria.
| | - Rupert Lanzenberger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Waehringerstr 18-20, Austria.
| | - Anne Eckert
- Neurobiology Lab for Brain Aging and Mental Health, Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular & Cognitive Neuroscience (MCN), University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Siegfried Kasper
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Waehringerstr 18-20, Austria.
| | - Richard Frey
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Waehringerstr 18-20, Austria.
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15
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Ng CH, Kato T, Han C, Wang G, Trivedi M, Ramesh V, Shao D, Gala S, Narayanan S, Tan W, Feng Y, Kasper S. Definition of treatment-resistant depression - Asia Pacific perspectives. J Affect Disord 2019; 245:626-636. [PMID: 30445388 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.11.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The lack of uniformity in the definition of treatment resistant depression (TRD) within the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region may have implications for patient management. We aimed to characterize the most commonly used TRD definition in selected APAC countries. METHODS A systematic literature review of TRD definitions in APAC countries was conducted in Medline and Embase (2010-2016) and conference proceedings (2014 and 2016). TRD guidelines (APAC, Europe regional, US, or international) were also searched. An expert-panel explored APAC nuances in TRD definitions to achieve consensus for a regional-level definition. RESULTS Ten guidelines and 89 studies qualified for study inclusion. Among the studies, variations were observed in definitions regarding: number of antidepressants failed (range: ≥1 to ≥3), classes of antidepressants (same or different; 59% did not specify class), duration of previous treatments (range: 4-12 weeks), dosage adequacy, and consideration of adherence (yes/no; 88% of studies did not consider adherence). No TRD-specific guidelines were identified. The emerging consensus from the literature review and panel discussion was that TRD is most commonly defined as failure to ≥2 antidepressant therapies given at adequate doses, for 6-8 weeks during a major depressive episode. LIMITATIONS Few studies provided definitions of TRD used in daily clinical practice, and a limited number of countries were represented in the included studies and expert panel. CONCLUSION Attaining consensus on TRD definition may promote accurate, and possibly early detection of patients with TRD to enable appropriate intervention that may impact patient outcomes and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Ng
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - T Kato
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Saitama, Japan
| | - C Han
- Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - G Wang
- Capital Medical University, Anding Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - M Trivedi
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, TX, US
| | - V Ramesh
- Market Access Solutions, LLC, USA
| | - D Shao
- Market Access Solutions, LLC, USA
| | - S Gala
- Market Access Solutions, LLC, USA
| | | | - W Tan
- Janssen Asia Pacific, Singapore
| | - Y Feng
- Janssen Asia Pacific, Singapore
| | - S Kasper
- Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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16
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Sorri A, Järventausta K, Kampman O, Lehtimäki K, Björkqvist M, Tuohimaa K, Hämäläinen M, Moilanen E, Leinonen E. Effect of electroconvulsive therapy on brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in patients with major depressive disorder. Brain Behav 2018; 8:e01101. [PMID: 30273985 PMCID: PMC6236235 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been associated with depression and its treatment response. The aim of the present study was to explore the effect of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on serum and plasma BDNF levels and change of Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and their associations in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS The study included thirty patients suffering from MDD. Their serum and plasma BDNF levels were examined before ECT (baseline) and after the first, fifth, and last ECT session. The severity of the depression and the response to ECT were measured with MADRS. RESULTS Electroconvulsive therapy caused no significant changes in serum BDNF levels. Plasma BDNF levels decreased during the fifth ECT session between the baseline and the 2-hr samples (p = 0.019). No associations were found between serum or plasma BDNF levels and remission. The correlations between plasma and serum BDNF levels in each measurement varied between 0.187 and 0.636. CONCLUSIONS Neither serum nor plasma BDNF levels were systematically associated with the clinical remission. However, the plasma BDNF levels somewhat varied during the ECT series. Therefore, the predictive value of BDNF for effects of ECT appears to be at least modest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamari Sorri
- Department of Psychiatry, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Kaija Järventausta
- Department of Psychiatry, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Olli Kampman
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.,Department of Psychiatry, Seinäjoki Hospital District, Seinäjoki, Finland
| | - Kai Lehtimäki
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neurology and Rehabilitation, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Minna Björkqvist
- Department of Psychiatry, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Kati Tuohimaa
- Department of Psychiatry, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Mari Hämäläinen
- The Immunopharmacology Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Eeva Moilanen
- The Immunopharmacology Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Esa Leinonen
- Department of Psychiatry, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
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17
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Kagawa S, Mihara K, Suzuki T, Nagai G, Nakamura A, Nemoto K, Kondo T. Both Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Interleukin-6 Levels Are Not Associated with Therapeutic Response to Lamotrigine Augmentation Therapy in Treatment-Resistant Depressive Disorder. Neuropsychobiology 2018; 75:145-150. [PMID: 29332095 DOI: 10.1159/000484665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were prospectively monitored in relation with therapeutic response to lamotrigine augmentation therapy in 46 (15 males and 31 females) inpatients with treatment-resistant depressive disorder during an 8-week treatment with lamotrigine using an open-study design. METHODS The subjects were 46 depressed patients who had already shown insufficient response to at least 3 psychotropics including antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and atypical antipsychotics. The diagnoses were major depressive disorder (n = 19), bipolar I disorder (n = 6), and bipolar II disorder (n = 22). The final doses of lamotrigine were 100 mg/day for 26 subjects who were not taking valproate and 75 mg/day for 20 subjects taking valproate, respectively. Depressive symptoms were evaluated by the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) before and after the 8-week treatment. Blood sampling was performed before the start of lamotrigine treatment and at week 8. Serum BDNF and IL-6 levels were measured using quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassays. RESULTS No significant changes in serum BDNF or IL-6 levels during the 8-week lamotrigine treatment were observed in the total of subjects, responders or nonresponders. There was no significant correlation between the changes in serum BDNF or IL-6 levels and the percent improvement in MADRS scores in the overall subjects. CONCLUSION The present study suggests that the acute effect of lamotrigine augmentation therapy for a major depressive episode is not related to either BDNF or IL-6, at least in patients with treatment-resistant depressive disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoko Kagawa
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Kazuo Mihara
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Takeshi Suzuki
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Goyo Nagai
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Akifumi Nakamura
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Kenji Nemoto
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Kondo
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
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18
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Ryan KM, Dunne R, McLoughlin DM. BDNF plasma levels and genotype in depression and the response to electroconvulsive therapy. Brain Stimul 2018; 11:1123-1131. [PMID: 29802070 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2018.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression and the antidepressant response. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is reported to increase BDNF levels in blood, though only a small number of studies have been conducted to date. OBJECTIVE Our objectives were to: 1) compare plasma BDNF levels in medicated patients with depression and controls; 2) assess the effect of ECT on plasma BDNF levels in medicated patients with depression; 3) explore the relationship between plasma BDNF levels and the Val66Met (rs6265) BDNF polymorphism; and 4) examine the relationship between plasma BDNF levels and clinical symptoms and outcomes with ECT. METHODS Plasma BDNF levels were analyzed in samples from 61 medicated patients with a major depressive episode and 50 healthy controls, and in patient samples following a course of ECT. Fifty-two samples from the depressed patient group were genotyped for the Val66Met BDNF polymorphism. RESULTS There was no difference in plasma BDNF levels between the control and depressed groups, and there was no difference in plasma BDNF levels in patients following treatment with ECT. In line with previous reports, we show that, in medicated patients with depression, Met-carriers had higher plasma BDNF levels than Val-carriers, though genotype was not related to clinical response. We found no association between plasma BDNF levels and depression severity or the clinical response to ECT. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that plasma BDNF does not represent a suitable candidate biomarker for determining the therapeutic response to ECT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen M Ryan
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry, St. Patrick's University Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ross Dunne
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry, St. Patrick's University Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Declan M McLoughlin
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry, St. Patrick's University Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
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19
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Rocha RB, Dondossola ER, Grande AJ, Colonetti T, Ceretta LB, Passos IC, Quevedo J, da Rosa MI. Increased BDNF levels after electroconvulsive therapy in patients with major depressive disorder: A meta-analysis study. J Psychiatr Res 2016; 83:47-53. [PMID: 27552533 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2016.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Revised: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). METHOD A comprehensive search of the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, LILACS, Grey literature, and EMBASE was performed for papers published from January 1990 to April 2016. The following key terms were searched: "major depressive disorder", "unipolar depression", "brain-derived neurotrophic factor", and "electroconvulsive therapy". RESULTS A total of 252 citations were identified by the search strategy, and nine studies met the inclusion criteria of the meta-analysis. BDNF levels were increased among patients with MDD after ECT (P value = 0.006). The standardized mean difference was 0.56 (95% CI: 0.17-0.96). Additionally, we found significant heterogeneity between studies (I2 = 73%). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest a potential role of BDNF as a marker of treatment response after ECT in patients with MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renan Boeira Rocha
- Laboratório de Epidemiologia, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, SC, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | | | - Antônio José Grande
- Laboratório de Epidemiologia, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, SC, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Tamy Colonetti
- Laboratório de Epidemiologia, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, SC, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Luciane Bisognin Ceretta
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Ives C Passos
- UT Center of Excellence on Mood Disorder, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Bipolar Disorder Program, Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Joao Quevedo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, SC, Brazil; UT Center of Excellence on Mood Disorder, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Translational Psychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maria Inês da Rosa
- Laboratório de Epidemiologia, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, SC, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, SC, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, SC, Brazil.
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20
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Freire TFV, Rocha NSD, Fleck MPDA. Combining ECT with pharmacological treatment of depressed inpatients in a naturalistic study is not associated with serum BDNF level increase. J Psychiatr Res 2016; 76:30-7. [PMID: 26871734 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2016.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2015] [Revised: 01/17/2016] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND BDNF blood levels are reduced in MDD. They can be increased with pharmacologic treatment and ECT, but it is not clear whether the combination of treatments promotes an additional increase. The present study aims to evaluate whether combined treatment promotes an increase in BDNF, restoring the level to that of non-depressed controls. METHODS Ninety-nine adult inpatients were invited to participate in this naturalistic prospective cohort study between May 2011 and April 2013. Diagnosis was made by MINI, and the symptoms were evaluated at admission and at discharge by HDRS-17. Those inpatients with a diagnosis of depression were included and divided into two groups: those who underwent combined ECT and medication (31 subjects) and those who used only pharmacotherapy (68 subjects). Serum BDNF was measured in blood samples collected at admission and discharge. One hundred healthy blood donors without any psychiatric diagnosis were included as a control group. RESULTS There were no significant differences in serum BDNF levels between the combined and pharmacological groups at admission and at discharge, and no significant variation in BDNF occurred in any group during the treatment. There were no interactions between time and treatment groups nor significant time effects or treatment group effects for BDNF in the Generalized Estimating Equation Model (GEE). The control group had significantly higher serum BDNF levels in comparison with each of the treatment groups at admission and discharge (p = 0.00). CONCLUSION Combination of ECT with pharmacological treatment did not result in increased serum BDNF levels and did not restore levels to that of controls.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Neusa Sica da Rocha
- Programa de Pós-Graduacão em Ciências Médicas: Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Departamento de Psiquiatria e Medicina Legal, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Pio de Almeida Fleck
- Programa de Pós-Graduacão em Ciências Médicas: Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Departamento de Psiquiatria e Medicina Legal, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil
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21
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Freire TFV, de Almeida Fleck MP, da Rocha NS. Remission of depression following electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is associated with higher levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor ( BDNF). Brain Res Bull 2016; 121:263-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2016.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Revised: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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22
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Lin CH, Chen MC, Yang WC, Lane HY. Early improvement predicts outcome of major depressive patients treated with electroconvulsive therapy. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2016; 26:225-233. [PMID: 26718791 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2015.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Revised: 11/11/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to test whether early symptom improvement predicts final response and remission for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). MDD inpatients (N=130) requiring ECT were recruited. ECT was generally performed for a maximum of 12 sessions. Symptom severity was assessed using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) before ECT, after every 3 ECT sessions, and after the last ECT. Early improvement was defined as a reduction in the HAMD-17 score by at least 20%, 25%, or 30% after 3 and 6 ECT sessions. Response was defined as 60% HAMD-17 score reduction, while remission was defined as an end point HAMD-17 score of ≦7. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine whether 3 or 6 ECT sessions had better discriminative capacity. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were calculated for the different definitions of early improvement. Of the 105 patients entering the analysis, 85.7% (n=90) and 70.5% (n=74) were classified as responders and remitters, respectively. Early improvement after 6 ECT sessions showed better discriminative capacity, with areas under the ROC curve at least 0.8. It had high sensitivity and high negative predictive value for all cutoffs in predicting response and remission. High response and remission rates were observed. Final response and remission could be predicted by early improvement after 6 ECT sessions. Patients without early improvement were unlikely to reach response and remission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Hua Lin
- Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chao Chen
- Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Cheng Yang
- Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Yuan Lane
- Department of Psychiatry, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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23
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Polyakova M, Schroeter ML, Elzinga BM, Holiga S, Schoenknecht P, de Kloet ER, Molendijk ML. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Antidepressive Effect of Electroconvulsive Therapy: Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of the Preclinical and Clinical Literature. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0141564. [PMID: 26529101 PMCID: PMC4631320 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 10/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging data suggest that Electro-Convulsive Treatment (ECT) may reduce depressive symptoms by increasing the expression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). Yet, conflicting findings have been reported. For this reason we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the preclinical and clinical literature on the association between ECT treatment (ECS in animals) and changes in BDNF concentrations and their effect on behavior. In addition, regional brain expression of BDNF in mouse and human brains were compared using Allen Brain Atlas. ECS, over sham, increased BDNF mRNA and protein in animal brain (effect size [Hedge’s g]: 0.38―0.54; 258 effect-size estimates, N = 4,284) but not in serum (g = 0.06, 95% CI = -0.05―0.17). In humans, plasma but not serum BDNF increased following ECT (g = 0.72 vs. g = 0.14; 23 effect sizes, n = 281). The gradient of the BDNF increment in animal brains corresponded to the gradient of the BDNF gene expression according to the Allen brain atlas. Effect-size estimates were larger following more ECT sessions in animals (r = 0.37, P < .0001) and in humans (r = 0.55; P = 0.05). There were some indications that the increase in BDNF expression was associated with behavioral changes in rodents, but not in humans. We conclude that ECS in rodents and ECT in humans increase BDNF concentrations but this is not consistently associated with changes in behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Polyakova
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences & Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
- University Hospital Leipzig, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Leipzig, Germany
- * E-mail: (MP);
| | - M. L. Schroeter
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences & Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
| | - B. M. Elzinga
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - S. Holiga
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences & Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
| | - P. Schoenknecht
- University Hospital Leipzig, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Leipzig, Germany
| | - E. R. de Kloet
- Division of Medical Pharmacology, Division of Endocrinology, and Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - M. L. Molendijk
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- * E-mail: (MP);
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24
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van Buel EM, Patas K, Peters M, Bosker FJ, Eisel ULM, Klein HC. Immune and neurotrophin stimulation by electroconvulsive therapy: is some inflammation needed after all? Transl Psychiatry 2015; 5. [PMID: 26218851 PMCID: PMC5068722 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A low-grade inflammatory response is commonly seen in the peripheral blood of major depressive disorder (MDD) patients, especially those with refractory and chronic disease courses. However, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), the most drastic intervention reserved for these patients, is closely associated with an enhanced haematogenous as well as neuroinflammatory immune response, as evidenced by both human and animal studies. A related line of experimental evidence further shows that inflammatory stimulation reinforces neurotrophin expression and may even mediate dramatic neurogenic and antidepressant-like effects following exposure to chronic stress. The current review therefore attempts a synthesis of our knowledge on the neurotrophic and immunological aspects of ECT and other electrically based treatments in psychiatry. Perhaps contrary to contemporary views, we conclude that targeted potentiation, rather than suppression, of inflammatory responses may be of therapeutic relevance to chronically depressed patients or a subgroup thereof.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M van Buel
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Center for Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands,Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands,Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Center for Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands. E-mail:
| | - K Patas
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Center for Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands,Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - M Peters
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Center for Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - F J Bosker
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - U L M Eisel
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Center for Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands,Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - H C Klein
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands,Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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25
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Rapinesi C, Kotzalidis GD, Curto M, Serata D, Ferri VR, Scatena P, Carbonetti P, Napoletano F, Miele J, Scaccianoce S, Del Casale A, Nicoletti F, Angeletti G, Girardi P. Electroconvulsive therapy improves clinical manifestations of treatment-resistant depression without changing serum BDNF levels. Psychiatry Res 2015; 227:171-8. [PMID: 25910420 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2014] [Revised: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 04/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is effective in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). It may act through intracellular process modulation, but its exact mechanism is still unknown. Animal research supports a neurotrophic effect for ECT. We aimed to investigate the association between changes in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (sBDNF) levels and clinical improvement following ECT in patients with TRD. Twenty-one patients with TRD (2 men, 19 women; mean age, 63.5 years; S.D., 11.9) were assessed through the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), and the Clinical Global Impressions scale, Severity (CGIs) before and after a complete ECT cycle. At the same time-points, patients underwent blood withdrawal for measuring sBDNF levels. ECT significantly reduced HDRS, BPRS, and CGIS scores, but not sBDNF levels. No significant correlation was found between sBDNF changes, and each of HDRS, BPRS, and CGIs score changes. sBDNF levels in TRD patients were low both at baseline and post-ECT. Our results do not support that improvements in TRD following ECT are mediated through increases in sBDNF levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Rapinesi
- NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs), Sapienza University of Rome, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sant׳Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy; Neuropsychiatry Department, Villa Rosa, Suore Hospitaliere of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Georgios D Kotzalidis
- NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs), Sapienza University of Rome, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sant׳Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy.
| | - Martina Curto
- NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs), Sapienza University of Rome, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sant׳Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Bipolar & Psychotic Disorders Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Daniele Serata
- NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs), Sapienza University of Rome, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sant׳Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy; Neuropsychiatry Department, Villa Rosa, Suore Hospitaliere of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Vittoria R Ferri
- NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs), Sapienza University of Rome, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sant׳Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy; Neuropsychiatry Department, Villa Rosa, Suore Hospitaliere of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Paola Scatena
- NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs), Sapienza University of Rome, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sant׳Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy; Neuropsychiatry Department, Villa Rosa, Suore Hospitaliere of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Paolo Carbonetti
- Neuropsychiatry Department, Villa Rosa, Suore Hospitaliere of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Flavia Napoletano
- NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs), Sapienza University of Rome, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sant׳Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Jessica Miele
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Scaccianoce
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Del Casale
- NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs), Sapienza University of Rome, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sant׳Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy; Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Fondazione Padre Alberto Mileno Onlus, Vasto, Chieti, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs), Sapienza University of Rome, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sant׳Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Gloria Angeletti
- NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs), Sapienza University of Rome, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sant׳Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Girardi
- NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs), Sapienza University of Rome, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sant׳Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy; Neuropsychiatry Department, Villa Rosa, Suore Hospitaliere of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Viterbo, Italy
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26
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Regenold WT, Noorani RJ, Piez D, Patel P. Nonconvulsive Electrotherapy for Treatment Resistant Unipolar and Bipolar Major Depressive Disorder: A Proof-of-concept Trial. Brain Stimul 2015; 8:855-61. [PMID: 26187603 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2015.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Revised: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most effective therapy for treatment resistant major depressive disorder (TRD); however, some individuals with TRD refuse ECT over concern about adverse cognitive effects. Clinical observation of two patients with TRD who had a therapeutic response to intended ECT despite having only one or no seizure suggested that nonconvulsive electrical stimulation may be effective in some patients. OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS This study tested the hypothesis that electrical brain stimulation applied like standard ECT, but below seizure threshold, can have therapeutic effects on TRD with fewer adverse cognitive effects. METHODS Thirteen outpatients with TRD (6 unipolar, 7 bipolar) who refused ECT participated in this open label adjunctive treatment study of nonconvulsive electrotherapy (NET) at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Brief pulse bifrontal electrical stimulation was given thrice weekly with a Thymatron System IV Integrated ECT Instrument. RESULTS Seizure-free data were obtained from 11 of 13 subjects. Group mean Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 17-item version scores declined significantly (P = 0.001) from 20.3 to 8.6. Response and remission rates were 73% (8) and 55% (6), respectively. Cognitive testing using the Mini-Mental State Exam and the Autobiographical Memory Inventory-Short Form did not show declines typically observed with ECT. CONCLUSIONS The therapeutic effect of NET on TRD was similar to that of ECT. Serious adverse effects and adverse cognitive effects were not observed. These results challenge the widespread belief that a seizure is necessary for the antidepressant effect of ECT and merit further investigation to determine whether NET is a viable alternative to ECT in some patients with TRD. Clinical trial posted on www.clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT01065597.
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Affiliation(s)
- William T Regenold
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Robert J Noorani
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Deborah Piez
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Palak Patel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Brunoni AR, Baeken C, Machado-Vieira R, Gattaz WF, Vanderhasselt MA. BDNF blood levels after electroconvulsive therapy in patients with mood disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. World J Biol Psychiatry 2014; 15:411-8. [PMID: 24628093 DOI: 10.3109/15622975.2014.892633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate whether electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a very effective non-pharmacological treatment for mood disorders, induces neurotrophic effects, indexed by the measurement of peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. METHODS Systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials published in PubMed/Medline from the first date available to October 2013. We included studies measuring pre- and post-BDNF blood levels under ECT in patients with mood disorders in the acute depressive episode. RESULTS Eleven studies (n = 221 subjects) were eligible. These studies enrolled subjects with unipolar, bipolar and psychotic depression and varied regarding electrode placement (unipolar vs. bipolar) and previous use of pharmacotherapy. Nonetheless, BDNF significantly increased after ECT (Hedges' g pooled, random-effects model of 0.354; 95% CI = 0.162-0.546). The results were robust according to sensitivity analysis and Begg's funnel plot did not suggest publication bias. Meta-regression results did not show association of the outcome with any clinical and demographic variable, including depression improvement. CONCLUSIONS Our meta-analysis indicates that, similar to pharmacological interventions, peripheral BDNF increases after ECT treatment. The lack of correlation between BDNF increasing and depression improvement suggests that ECT induces neurotrophic effects regardless of clinical response in depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- André R Brunoni
- Laboratory of Neuroscience (LIM27), Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil
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