Impact of fatigue on outcome of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment: secondary analysis of STAR*D

Mild forced exercise in young mice prevents anergia induced by dopamine depletion in late adulthood: Relation to CDNF and DARPP-32 phosphorylation patterns in nucleus accumbens

Mesolimbic dopamine (DA) plays a critical role in behavioral activation and exertion of effort in motivated behaviors. DA antagonism and depletion in nucleus accumbens (Nacb) induces anergia in effort-based decision-making tasks. Exercise improves motor function in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the beneficial effects of physical exercise on anergia, a symptom present in many psychiatric and neurological pathologies needs to be studied. During 9 weeks, young CD1 male mice were trained to run at a moderate speed in automatically turning running wheels (RW) (forced exercise group) or locked in static RWs (control group) in 1 h daily sessions. Both groups were tested in a 3-choice-T-maze task developed for the assessment of preference between active (RW) vs. sedentary reinforcers, and vulnerability to DA depletion-induced anergia was studied after tetrabenazine administration (TBZ; VMAT-2 blocker). Exercise did not change spontaneous preferences, did not affect body weight, plasma corticosterone levels or measures of anxiety, but it increased the cerebral DA neurotrophic factor (CDNF) in Nacb core, suggesting a neuroprotective effect in this nucleus. After TBZ administration, only the non-trained group showed a shift in relative preferences from active to sedentary options, reducing time running but increasing consumption of pellets, thus showing a typical anergic but not anhedonic effect. Moreover, only in the non-trained group, phosphorylation of DARPP-32(Thr34) increased after TBZ administration. These results are the first to show that mild forced exercise carried out from a young age to adulthood could act on Nacb-related functions, and prevent the anergia-inducing effects of DA depletion.

The clinical utility of newer antidepressant agents: Understanding the role in management of MDD

Whereas MDD is characterized in part by changes in mood, other symptoms can also cause significant impairment, including sexual dysfunction, cognitive impairment, and fatigue. Newer antidepressants are explored with the goal of more optimally treating these non–mood-related symptoms of MDD. The 3 oral antidepressants that have been FDA-approved most recently include vortioxetine, vilazodone, and levomilnacipran. Unique features of these antidepressants are explored through 3 patient cases.

Network Analysis of Comorbid Anxiety and Insomnia Among Clinicians with Depressive Symptoms During the Late Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

A high proportion of clinicians experienced common anxiety, insomnia and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined the item-level association of comorbid anxiety and insomnia symptoms among clinicians who suffered from depressive symptoms during the late stage of the COVID-19 pandemic using network analysis (NA).

METHODS

Clinicians with depressive symptoms (with a Patients Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) total score of 5 and above) were included in this study. Anxiety and insomnia symptoms were measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale - 7-item (GAD-7) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), respectively. Network analysis was conducted to investigate the network structure, central symptoms, bridge symptoms, and network stability of these disturbances. Expected influence (EI) was used to measure the centrality of index.

RESULTS

Altogether, 1729 clinicians were included in this study. The mean age was 37.1 [standard deviation (SD)=8.04 years], while the mean PHQ-9 total score was 8.42 (SD=3.33), mean GAD-7 total score was 6.45 (SD=3.13) and mean ISI total score was 8.23 (SD=5.26). Of these clinicians, the prevalence of comorbid anxiety symptoms (GAD-7≥5) was 76.8% (95% CI 74.82-78.80%), while the prevalence of comorbid insomnia symptoms (ISI≥8) was 43.8% (95% CI: 41.50-46.18%). NA revealed that nodes ISI7 ("Interference with daytime functioning") (EI=1.18), ISI4 ("Sleep dissatisfaction") (EI=1.08) and ISI5 ("Noticeability of sleep problem by others") (EI=1.07) were the most central (influential) symptoms in the network model of comorbid anxiety and insomnia symptoms in clinicians. Bridge symptoms included nodes PHQ3 ("Sleep") (bridge EI=0.55) and PHQ4 ("Fatigue") (bridge EI=0.49). Gender did not significantly influence the network structure, but "having the experience of caring for COVID-19 patients" significantly influenced the network structure.

CONCLUSION

Central symptoms and key bridge symptoms identified in this NA should be targeted in the treatment and preventive measures for clinicians suffering from comorbid anxiety, insomnia and depressive symptoms during the late stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Behavioral and dopamine transporter binding properties of the modafinil analog (S, S)-CE-158: reversal of the motivational effects of tetrabenazine and enhancement of progressive ratio responding

RATIONALE

Atypical dopamine (DA) transport blockers such as modafinil and its analogs may be useful for treating motivational symptoms of depression and other disorders. Previous research has shown that the DA depleting agent tetrabenazine can reliably induce motivational deficits in rats, as evidenced by a shift towards a low-effort bias in effort-based choice tasks. This is consistent with human studies showing that people with major depression show a bias towards low-effort activities.

OBJECTIVES

Recent studies demonstrated that the atypical DA transport (DAT) inhibitor (S)-CE-123 reversed tetrabenazine-induced motivational deficits, increased progressive ratio (PROG) lever pressing, and increased extracellular DA in the nucleus accumbens. In the present studies, a recently synthesized modafinil analog, (S, S)-CE-158, was assessed in a series of neurochemical and behavioral studies in rats.

RESULTS

(S, S)-CE-158 demonstrated the ability to reverse the effort-related effects of tetrabenazine and increase selection of high-effort PROG lever pressing in rats tested on PROG/chow feeding choice task. (S, S)-CE-158 showed a high selectivity for inhibiting DAT compared with other monoamine transporters, and systemic administration of (S, S)-CE-158 increased extracellular DA in the nucleus accumbens during the behaviorally active time course, which is consistent with the effects of (S)-CE-123 and other DAT inhibitors that enhance high-effort responding.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies provide an initial neurochemical characterization of a novel atypical DAT inhibitor, and demonstrate that this compound is active in models of effort-related choice. This research could contribute to the development of novel compounds for the treatment of motivational dysfunctions in humans.

Fatigue, sleep and depression: An exploratory interRAI study of older adults

An association between fatigue and depression was reported for older adults. We examined the association between fatigue, sleep and depression from interRAI-HC assessments of community dwelling older people (65+ years). Interview data from 5,950 participants who completed their first interRAI-HC assessment was analysed (mean age, 81.3 ± 7.1 years; 60.2% female). Only 873 (15%) reported "severe" fatigue. Nearly half reported minor sleep problems. Depression was diagnosed in 693 participants (11.6%). Depression explained only 0.2% of fatigue. This calls for further studies that may help in understanding the relationship between fatigue and depression across the life-cycle.

Moxibustion at 'Danzhong' (RN17) and 'Guanyuan' (RN4) for fatigue symptom in patients with depression: Study protocol clinical trial (SPIRIT Compliant)

BACKGROUND

Fatigue is one of the most prevalent and debilitating symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD). The effective management of depression-related fatigue has an important impact on the patient's abilities, functioning, and quality of life (QOL). Moxibustion has been widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to manage fatigue. Recent studies have also demonstrated that moxibustion is effective for treating cancer-related fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome. However, there is not sufficient data supporting the effect of moxibustion for depression-related fatigue. Therefore, this randomized, assessor-blinded, wait-list controlled trial is designed to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and feasibility of moxibustion treatment for depression-related fatigue.

METHODS

One hundred and seventy-six participants who meet the diagnostic criteria for depression in the International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision (ICD-10), and who also have a score of ≥1 on the 13 item of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 (HAMD-17), will be enrolled. At study entry, participants will undergo anti-depressant treatment for at least 1 month. Then those who still have a score of ≥1 on the 13 item of the HAMD-17 will be randomly allocated to either a moxibustion group or wait-list control group in a ratio of 1:1. Anti-depressants will be provided for both groups during the whole process of the study period. Participants in the moxibustion group will undergo 14 sessions of moxibustion (over 2 weeks) with anti-depressant treatment, and participants in the wait-list control group will receive only anti-depressant treatment. Subsequently, participants in the moxibustion group will be followed-up for 4 weeks. The primary outcome measure will be the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). The secondary outcome measure will be the HAMD-17. Safety will be assessed by monitoring adverse events during the study. Trial feasibility will also be assessed in this study.

DISCUSSION

The results of this study may provide evidence for the efficacy of moxibustion as an adjunct to antidepressants for depression-related fatigue, and promote a more widespread foundation for the selection of moxibustion in the clinical setting as well as for future research in moxibustion therapy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study protocol was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1800016905).

Disentangling the association of depression on the anti-fatigue effects of ketamine

BACKGROUND

Fatigue and depression are closely associated. The purpose of this secondary analysis was to understand the relationships between depression and improvements in specific depression domains on the anti-fatigue effects of ketamine, which we previously reported.

METHODS

This secondary analysis re-evaluated data collected longitudinally from 39 patients with treatment-resistant Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial using a single intravenous infusion of ketamine hydrochloride (0.5 mg/kg over 40 minutes) or placebo. A mediation model assessed the effect of depression on the anti-fatigue effects of a single dose of intravenous ketamine versus placebo at Day 1 post-infusion. Fatigue was measured using the National Institutes of Health-Brief Fatigue Inventory (NIH-BFI), and depression was assessed by the Montgomery-Ǻsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).

RESULTS

Compared to placebo, ketamine significantly improved fatigue (p = .0003) as measured by the NIH-BFI, but the anti-fatigue effects of ketamine disappeared (p = .47) when controlling for depression as measured by MADRS total score. In this study sample, the anti-fatigue effects of ketamine were mostly accounted for by the changes in amotivation and depressed mood scores.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, ketamine did not have a unique effect on fatigue outside of its general antidepressant effects in patients with treatment-resistant depression. Specifically, the anti-fatigue effects of ketamine observed in this study seem to be explained by the effects of ketamine on two symptom domains of depression: amotivation and depressed mood. The study findings suggest that the anti-fatigue effects of ketamine should be assessed by fatigue-specific measures other than the NIH-BFI or future studies should enroll fatigued patients without depression.

International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology CIV: The Neurobiology of Treatment-resistant Depression: From Antidepressant Classifications to Novel Pharmacological Targets

Major depressive disorder is one of the most prevalent and life-threatening forms of mental illnesses and a major cause of morbidity worldwide. Currently available antidepressants are effective for most patients, although around 30% are considered treatment resistant (TRD), a condition that is associated with a significant impairment of cognitive function and poor quality of life. In this respect, the identification of the molecular mechanisms contributing to TRD represents an essential step for the design of novel and more efficacious drugs able to modify the clinical course of this disorder and increase remission rates in clinical practice. New insights into the neurobiology of TRD have shed light on the role of a number of different mechanisms, including the glutamatergic system, immune/inflammatory systems, neurotrophin function, and epigenetics. Advances in drug discovery processes in TRD have also influenced the classification of antidepressant drugs and novel classifications are available, such as the neuroscience-based nomenclature that can incorporate such advances in drug development for TRD. This review aims to provide an up-to-date description of key mechanisms in TRD and describe current therapeutic strategies for TRD before examining novel approaches that may ultimately address important neurobiological mechanisms not targeted by currently available antidepressants. All in all, we suggest that drug targeting different neurobiological systems should be able to restore normal function but must also promote resilience to reduce the long-term vulnerability to recurrent depressive episodes.

Decreased activation and subsyndromal manic symptoms predict lower remission rates in bipolar depression

OBJECTIVE

Activation encompasses energy and activity and is a central feature of bipolar disorder. However, the impact of activation on treatment response of bipolar depression requires further exploration. The aims of this study were to assess the association of decreased activation and sustained remission in bipolar depression and test for factors that could affect this association.

METHODS

We assessed participants with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed) bipolar depression ( n = 303) included in a comparative effectiveness study of lithium- and quetiapine-based treatments (the Bipolar CHOICE study). Activation was evaluated using items from the Bipolar Inventory of Symptoms Scale. The selection of these items was based on a dimension of energy and interest symptoms associated with poorer treatment response in major depression.

RESULTS

Decreased activation was associated with lower remission rates in the raw analyses and in a logistic regression model adjusted for baseline severity and subsyndromal manic symptoms (odds ratio = 0.899; p = 0.015). The manic features also predicted lower remission (odds ratio = 0.934; p < 0.001). Remission rates were similar in the two treatment groups.

CONCLUSION

Decreased activation and subsyndromal manic symptoms predict lower remission rates in bipolar depression. Patients with these features may require specific treatment approaches, but new studies are necessary to identify treatments that could improve outcomes in this population.

The association of fatigue, pain, depression and anxiety with work and activity impairment in immune mediated inflammatory diseases

Impairment in work function is a frequent outcome in patients with chronic conditions such as immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID), depression and anxiety disorders. The personal and economic costs of work impairment in these disorders are immense. Symptoms of pain, fatigue, depression and anxiety are potentially remediable forms of distress that may contribute to work impairment in chronic health conditions such as IMID. The present study evaluated the association between pain [Medical Outcomes Study Pain Effects Scale], fatigue [Daily Fatigue Impact Scale], depression and anxiety [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale] and work impairment [Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Scale] in four patient populations: multiple sclerosis (n = 255), inflammatory bowel disease (n = 248, rheumatoid arthritis (n = 154) and a depression and anxiety group (n = 307), using quantile regression, controlling for the effects of sociodemographic factors, physical disability, and cognitive deficits. Each of pain, depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and fatigue individually showed significant associations with work absenteeism, presenteeism, and general activity impairment (quantile regression standardized estimates ranging from 0.3 to 1.0). When the distress variables were entered concurrently into the regression models, fatigue was a significant predictor of work and activity impairment in all models (quantile regression standardized estimates ranging from 0.2 to 0.5). These findings have important clinical implications for understanding the determinants of work impairment and for improving work-related outcomes in chronic disease.

The impact of fatigue and energy on work functioning and impairment in patients with major depressive disorder treated with desvenlafaxine

Fatigue and low energy are cardinal symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) that have an impact on work functioning. Antidepressants with noradrenergic activity have been hypothesized to improve symptoms of fatigue and low energy. We examined the impact of these symptoms on work functioning in patients with MDD treated with the serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, desvenlafaxine. A secondary analysis was carried out from a study of employed adult outpatients (n=35) with MDD and subjective cognitive complaints treated with desvenlafaxine 50-100 mg/day for 8 weeks. Multiple regression analyses modeled improvement in work functioning measures (Lam Employment Absence and Productivity Scale, Health and Work Performance Questionnaire, Sheehan Disability Scale) with measures of fatigue (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Fatigue scale and 20-item Hopkins Symptom Check List Energy scale). Patients showed a significant improvement in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale scores as well as in fatigue and work functioning measures following treatment. Fatigue measures were significantly associated with improvement in some (Lam Employment Absence and Productivity Scale, Sheehan Disability Scale), but not all (Health and Work Performance Questionnaire) work functioning measures, independent of improvement in overall depressive symptoms. The limitations of this study include the small sample size and the lack of a placebo or a comparison group. Fatigue and low energy are important symptoms that are associated with occupational impairment in MDD. Treatments that improve these symptoms are likely to improve work functioning.

Gender differences in quality of life and functional disability for depression outpatients with or without residual symptoms after acute phase treatment in China

BACKGROUND

Depression is associated with substantial personal suffering and reduced quality of life and functioning. The aim of this study was to investigate gender differences on quality of life and functional impairment of outpatients with depression after acute phase treatment.

METHODS

1503 depression outpatients were recruited from eleven hospitals in China. Subjects were evaluated with sociodemographic characteristics, history and self-report instruments, related to severity of symptoms, function and quality of life. All data were analyzed to determine the gender differences.

RESULTS

Men had a younger age at onset and the first onset age, higher education compared to women in total patients and with or without residual symptoms group. Using regression analysis, it was found that gender was significantly statistically related to severity scores of SDS and had no correlation with Q-LES-Q-SF total scores. In the residual symptoms group, greater functional impairment was noted by men in the area of work and social life. Significant gender differences of mood, work and sexual life in quality of life were observed.

LIMITATIONS

This is a cross-sectional study of depressed outpatients and duration of acute phase treatment may not an adequate time to measure changes.

CONCLUSIONS

Depression appears to affect men more seriously than women after acute phase treatment. Men had a younger age at onset and the first onset age, higher education, more functional impairment and lower satisfaction of quality of life in mood, work and sexual life. Gender differences affect acute treatment, remission and recovery.

Clinical Phenotype of Depression Affects Interleukin-6 Synthesis

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is not a single disease, but a number of various ailments that form one entity. Psychomotor retardation, anhedonia, sleep disorders, an increased suicide risk, and anxiety are the main symptoms that often define the clinical diagnosis of depression. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), as one of the proinflammatory cytokines, seems to be overexpressed during certain mental disorders, including MDD. Overexpression of IL-6 in depression is thought to be a factor associated with bad prognosis and worse disease course. IL-6 may directly affect brain functioning and production of neurotransmitters; moreover, its concentration is correlated with certain clinical symptoms within the wide range of depressive symptomatology. Furthermore, there is a strong correlation between IL-6 synthesis and psychosomatic functioning of the patient. This article discusses potential sources and significance of IL-6 in the pathogenesis of depression.

Lower brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels associated with worsening fatigue in prostate cancer patients during repeated stress from radiation therapy

OBJECTIVES

Fatigue during cancer treatment is associated with depression. Neurotrophic factors play a major role in depression and stress and might provide insight into mechanisms of fatigue. This study investigated the association between plasma concentrations of three neurotrophic factors (BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor; GDNF, glial-derived neurotrophic factor; and SNAPIN, soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive fusion attachment receptor-associated protein) and initial fatigue intensification during external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) in euthymic non-metastatic prostate cancer men.

METHODS

Fatigue, as measured by the 13-item Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue (FACT-F), and plasma neurotrophic factors were collected at baseline (prior to EBRT) and mid-EBRT. Subjects were categorized into fatigue and no fatigue groups using a > 3-point change in FACT-F scores between the two time points. Multiple linear regressions analysed the associations between fatigue and neurotrophic factors.

RESULTS

FACT-F scores of 47 subjects decreased from baseline (43.95 ± 1.3) to mid-EBRT (38.36 ± 1.5, P < 0.001), indicating worsening fatigue. SNAPIN levels were associated with fatigue scores (r_s = 0.43, P = 0.005) at baseline. A significant decrease of BDNF concentration (P = 0.008) was found in fatigued subjects during EBRT (n = 39).

CONCLUSIONS

Baseline SNAPIN and decreasing BDNF levels may influence worsening fatigue during EBRT. Further investigations are warranted to confirm their role in the pathophysiology and therapeutics of fatigue.

Changes in depression subtypes for women during treatment with citalopram: a latent transition analysis

The aim of this study was to characterize latent subtypes of major depression and changes in these subtypes among women receiving citalopram in the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) trial. Latent transition analysis was applied to data from 755 women who completed baseline and week 12 study visits in level 1 of STAR*D. Items from the self-report version of the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology were used as indicators of latent depression subtype. Four subtypes were identified at baseline and week 12. The baseline subtypes were Mild (21 %), Moderate (30 %), Severe with Increased Appetite (16 %), and Severe with Decreased Appetite (34 %). The subtypes at week 12 were Symptom Resolution (65 %), Mild (23 %), Moderate (9 %), and Severe with Psychomotor Disturbances (3 %). Women in the Moderate subtype at baseline had the greatest chance of moving to Symptom Resolution (87 %). Women in the Severe with Decreased Appetite subtype had the lowest chance of transitioning to Symptom Resolution (46 %). Depression severity and appetite distinguished depression subtypes for women before treatment with citalopram. Depression severity and psychomotor disturbances characterized the subtypes after treatment. This work highlights the need to consider how depression treatment changes different symptoms instead of relying exclusively on summary rating scores.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

www.clinicaltrials.gov , NCT00021528.

An assessment of the anti-fatigue effects of ketamine from a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study in bipolar disorder

BACKGROUND

Fatigue is a multidimensional condition that is difficult to treat with standard monoaminergic antidepressants. Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist produces rapid and robust improvements in depressive symptoms in treatment-resistant depression. However, there is a dearth of literature examining the anti-fatigue effects of ketamine. We hypothesize that ketamine will rapidly improve fatigue symptoms in treatment-resistant depressed patients.

METHODS

This is an exploratory analysis of data obtained from two double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trials. A total of 36 participants with treatment-resistant bipolar I or II disorder in a depressive episode (maintained on therapeutic levels of lithium or valproate) received a single infusion of ketamine hydrochloride intravenously (0.5 mg/kg over 40 min) or placebo. A post-hoc analysis compared fatigue scores on ketamine vs. placebo at 10 time points from baseline through 14 days post-treatment using the National Institute of Health-Brief Fatigue Inventory.

RESULTS

A linear mixed model showed that ketamine significantly lowered fatigue scores compared to placebo from 40 min post-treatment to Day 14 with the exception of Day 7. The largest difference in anti-fatigue effects between placebo and ketamine was at day 2 (d=0.58, p<0.05). The effect remained significant after controlling for changes in non-fatigue depressive symptoms.

LIMITATION

The retrospective nature and a small sample size are study limitations.

CONCLUSIONS

Ketamine rapidly improved fatigue relative to placebo in a group of individuals with treatment-resistant bipolar depression. NMDAR is a glutamate receptor; hence, glutamate may represent a valuable target to study the clinical efficacy of new anti-fatigue approaches in multiple disorders.

Effects of levomilnacipran ER on fatigue symptoms associated with major depressive disorder

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of levomilnacipran extended-release (ER) on depression-related fatigue in adults with major depressive disorder. Post-hoc analyses of five phase III trials were carried out, with evaluation of fatigue symptoms based on score changes in four items: Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) item 7 (lassitude), and 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD17) items 7 (work/activities), 8 (retardation), and 13 (somatic symptoms). Symptom remission was analyzed on the basis of score shifts from baseline to end of treatment: MADRS item 7 and HAMD17 item 7 (from ≥2 to ≤1); HAMD17 items 8 and 13 (from ≥1 to 0). The mean change in MADRS total score was analyzed in patients with low and high fatigue (MADRS item 7 baseline score <4 and ≥4, respectively). Patients receiving levomilnacipran ER had significantly greater mean improvements and symptom remission (no/minimal residual fatigue) on all fatigue-related items: lassitude (35 vs. 28%), work/activities (43 vs. 35%), retardation (46 vs. 39%), somatic symptoms (26 vs. 18%; all Ps<0.01 versus placebo). The mean change in MADRS total score was significantly greater with levomilnacipran ER versus placebo in both low (least squares mean difference=-2.8, P=0.0018) and high (least squares mean difference=-3.1, P<0.0001) fatigue subgroups. Levomilnacipran ER treatment was effective in reducing depression-related fatigue in adult patients with major depressive disorder and was associated with remission of fatigue symptoms.

Cortical abnormalities and association with symptom dimensions across the depressive spectrum

BACKGROUND

Few studies have investigated the relationship between structural brain abnormalities and dimensions of depressive symptomatology.

METHODS

In the current study, we examined the relationship between cortical structural abnormalities and specific behavioral dimensions relevant to depression in a sample of unmedicated patients with major depressive disorder (MDD, n=57) and demographically similar healthy control volunteers (HC, n=29). All subjects underwent diagnostic assessment with the SCID, MRI at 3T, and dimensional assessments using the visual analog scales (VAS). Cortical regions were extracted for each subject, and group comparisons of cortical volume (CV), surface area (SA), and cortical thickness (CT) were performed controlling for multiple comparisons using a bootstrapping technique. Regions demonstrating group differences were analyzed for correlation with specific dimensions assessments.

RESULTS

As compared with HC, MDD subjects exhibited reduced CV within the left supramarginal gyrus, right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC), entorhinal cortex, parahippocampal gyrus, fusiform gyrus and pericalcarine; reduced SA in the right VLPFC, cuneus, and left temporal pole; and reduced CT in the right rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) (all p's<0.05, corrected). The largest effect occurred within the right VLPFC for CV and SA (MDD<HC; effect sizes: 0.60). CV in the right VLPFC inversely correlated with sadness, fatigue and worry; CT in the right rACC inversely correlated with irritability and fatigue.

LIMITATIONS

Future studies will be required to further map the anatomical changes in depression to behavioral dimensions.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that specific cortical abnormalities are associated with specific behavioral components linked to depression.

The impact of residual symptoms on relapse and quality of life among Thai depressive patients

PURPOSE

Residual symptoms of depressive disorder are major predictors of relapse of depression and lower quality of life. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of residual symptoms, relapse rates, and quality of life among patients with depressive disorder.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data were collected during the Thai Study of Affective Disorder (THAISAD) project. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) was used to measure the severity and residual symptoms of depression, and EQ-5D instrument was used to measure the quality of life. Demographic and clinical data at the baseline were described by mean ± standard deviation (SD). Prevalence of residual symptoms of depression was determined and presented as percentage. Regression analysis was utilized to predict relapse and patients' quality of life at 6 months postbaseline.

RESULTS

A total of 224 depressive disorder patients were recruited. Most of the patients (93.3%) had at least one residual symptom, and the most common was anxiety symptoms (76.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-0.82). After 3 months postbaseline, 114 patients (50.9%) were in remission and within 6 months, 44 of them (38.6%) relapsed. Regression analysis showed that residual insomnia symptoms were significantly associated with these relapse cases (odds ratio [OR] =5.290, 95% CI, 1.42-19.76). Regarding quality of life, residual core mood and insomnia significantly predicted the EQ-5D scores at 6 months postbaseline (B =-2.670, 95% CI, -0.181 to -0.027 and B =-3.109, 95% CI, -0.172 to -0.038, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Residual symptoms are common in patients receiving treatment for depressive disorder and were found to be associated with relapses and quality of life. Clinicians need to be aware of these residual symptoms when carrying out follow-up treatment in patients with depressive disorder, so that prompt action can be taken to mitigate the risk of relapse.

Functional Impairment and Changes in Depression Subtypes for Women in STAR*D: A Latent Transition Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the association between functional impairment and major depression subtypes at baseline and to characterize changes in subtypes by functional impairment level in women receiving citalopram in level 1 of the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression trial.

METHOD

Women who completed baseline and week 12 study visits were included. Items from the self-reported Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology were used to define the latent depression subtypes. The Work and Social Adjustment Scale was used to classify baseline functional impairment. A latent transition analysis model provided estimates of the prevalence of subtype membership and transition probabilities by functional impairment level.

RESULTS

Of the 755 women included, 69% had major functional impairment at baseline. Regardless of functional impairment level, the subtypes were differentiated by depression severity, appetite changes, psychomotor disturbances, and insomnia. Sixty-seven percent of women with normal/significant functional impairment and 60% of women with major impairment were likely to transition to a symptom resolution subtype at week 12. Women with baseline major impairment who were in the severe with psychomotor agitation subtype at the beginning of the study were least likely to transition to the symptom resolution subtype (4% chance).

CONCLUSIONS

Functional impairment level was related to both the baseline depression subtype and the likelihood of moving to a different subtype. These results underscore the need to incorporate not only depression symptoms but also functioning in the assessment and treatment of depression.

Development of a clinician-administered National Institutes of Health-Brief Fatigue Inventory: A measure of fatigue in the context of depressive disorders

OBJECTIVE

Fatigue is a complex, multidimensional condition. Although it is often associated with depression, it is not known whether it has a distinct network from depression or whether it can be clinically evaluated, separately. This study describes preliminary findings in the development of a brief, clinician-administered instrument to measure fatigue in the context of depressive disorders using items from existing clinician-administered depression and mania scales.

METHODS

Based on items from prior fatigue measurements, items were selected from the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Young Mania Rating Scale, and Structured Interview Guide for HDRS with Atypical Depression. The final items composed the NIH-Brief Fatigue Inventory (NIH-BFI). Responses from 89 depressed adults collected pre- and post-antidepressant therapy (ADT) determined the reliability and consistency of the NIH-BFI using Cronbach's alpha and principal components analysis (PCA). Correlations of the NIH-BFI and fatigue items from other scales before and after ADT explored validity.

RESULTS

The 7-item NIH-BFI had Cronbach alphas ranging from 0.81 to 0.88 and PCA indicating a single dimension. The NIH-BFI score was strongly correlated (r = 0.73, p < 0.001) with fatigue items from Beck Depression Index, with MADRS without fatigue items (r = 0.77, p < 0.001), and HDRS without fatigue items (pre: r = 0.69, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Preliminary findings show support for internal consistency reliability and validity of the NIH-BFI, a clinician-administered measure of fatigue. Further testing in other clinical populations is recommended to obtain additional information on reliability and validity. The NIH-BFI provides a method for clinician-rated fatigue that may be a separate from depression.