Serum BDNF as a peripheral biomarker of treatment-resistant depression and the rapid antidepressant response: A comparison of ketamine and ECT

Allen, Andrew P., Naughton, Marie, Dowling, J., Walsh, Annabel, Ismail, Fahmi, Shorten, George, Scott, Lucinda, McLoughlin, Declan M., Cryan, John F., Dinan, Timothy G. and Clarke, Gerard (2015) Serum BDNF as a peripheral biomarker of treatment-resistant depression and the rapid antidepressant response: A comparison of ketamine and ECT. Journal of Affective Disorders, 186. pp. 306-311. ISSN 0165-0327

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Abstract

Background
Ketamine is associated with rapid antidepressant efficacy but the biological mechanisms underpinning this effect are unclear. Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (sBDNF) is a potential circulating biomarker of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and ketamine response but it is unclear if this is a common target of both ketamine and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), the current gold standard for TRD. Moreover, the impact of multiple ketamine infusions on sBDNF has not yet been established.

Methods
Thirty five TRD patients with a current DSM-IV diagnosis of recurrent depressive disorder received up to 12 ECT sessions (N=17) or up to three intravenous infusions of low-dose (0.5 mg/kg) ketamine (N=18). Blood samples were taken over the course of the study for assessment of sBDNF. Symptom severity and response were monitored using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). sBDNF was assessed in 20 healthy controls to allow comparison with TRD patients.

Results
As expected, sBDNF was lower in TRD patients at baseline compared to healthy controls. Ketamine and ECT treatment were both associated with significant reductions in depressive symptoms. However, sBDNF was significantly elevated only at one week following the first ketamine infusion in those classified as responders one week later. sBDNF was not elevated following subsequent infusions. ECT reduced depressive symptoms, as expected, but was not associated with an enhancement in BDNF.

Limitations
Patients continued with their psychotropic medications throughout this trial.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology
Divisions:	School of Business > Staff Research and Publications
Depositing User:	Caoimhe Ní Mhaicín
Date Deposited:	04 Oct 2018 18:33
Last Modified:	04 Oct 2018 18:33
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/3239

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