scholarly journals Serum BDNF levels and the antidepressant effects of electroconvulsive therapy with ketamine anaesthesia: a preliminary study

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e10699
Author(s):  
Wei Zheng ◽  
Qiaomei Cen ◽  
Sha Nie ◽  
Minyi Li ◽  
Rong Zeng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electroconvulsive Therapy ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Antidepressant Response ◽  
Baseline Serum ◽  
Ketamine Anaesthesia ◽  
Antidepressant Effects ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Serum Bdnf

Objective To firstly examine the relationship between serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and antidepressant response to ketamine as an anaesthesia in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in Chinese patients with treatment-refractory depression (TRD). Methods Thirty patients with TRD were enrolled and underwent eight ECT sessions with ketamine anaesthesia (0.8 mg/kg) alone. Depression severity, response and remission were evaluated using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to examine serum BDNF levels in patients with TRD at baseline and after the second, fourth and eighth ECT sessions. Baseline serum samples were also collected for 30 healthy controls. Results No significant differences were observed in serum BDNF levels between patients with TRD and healthy controls at baseline (p > 0.05). The remission rate was 76.7% (23/30) after the last ECT treatment, although all patients with TRD obtained antidepressant response criteria. Serum BDNF levels were not altered compared to baseline, even between remitters and nonremitters (all p > 0.05), despite the significant reduction in HAMD-17 and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores after ECT with ketamine anaesthesia (all p < 0.05). The antidepressant effects of ECT with ketamine anaesthesia were not correlated with changes in serum BDNF levels (all p > 0.05). Conclusion This preliminary study indicated that serum BDNF levels do not appear to be a reliable biomarker to determine the antidepressant effects of ketamine as an anaesthesia in ECT for patients with TRD. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to confirm these findings.

scholarly journals Association of plasma VEGF levels and the antidepressant effects of ketamine in patients with depression

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 204512532110143
Author(s):  
Wei Zheng ◽  
Yan-Ling Zhou ◽  
Cheng-Yu Wang ◽  
Xiao-Feng Lan ◽  
Bin Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Antidepressant Response ◽  
Neuronal Mechanisms ◽  
Antidepressant Effects ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Depressive Symptom Severity ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

Aims: Growing evidence suggests that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may be involved in the neuronal mechanisms underlying both depression aetiology and the response to ketamine treatments. The aim of this study was to examine whether changes in plasma VEGF levels are associated with the antidepressant effects of repeated ketamine infusions in patients with depression. Methods: Ninety-six patients with depression were enrolled and received six ketamine infusions during a 12-day period. Depressive symptom severity and plasma VEGF levels were measured by the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) respectively, at baseline, 13 days and 26 days. Results: Despite a significant improvement in MADRS scores after patients received six ketamine infusions ( p < 0.001), no changes in plasma VEGF levels were observed at 13 days when compared with baseline. Moreover, no significant difference in plasma VEGF levels at baseline and 13 days was found between ketamine responders and nonresponders. No association was found between the antidepressant effects of repeated ketamine treatments and plasma VEGF levels. Conclusion: This study indicated that VEGF may not be a potential predictor of antidepressant response to repeated intravenous administration of ketamine in patients with depression.

Assessment of mature serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is not superior to total serum BDNF in prediction of antidepressant treatment outcome

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S410-S410 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Eckert ◽  
T. Mikoteit ◽  
J. Beck ◽  
U.M. Hemmeter ◽  
S. Brand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Outcome ◽  
Treatment Response ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Antidepressant Treatment ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Total Serum ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Functional Link ◽  
Neurotrophic Activity ◽  
Serum Bdnf

BackgroundSerum BDNF levels are decreased in major depressive disorder (MDD) and tend to normalize under antidepressant treatment, serving as a treatment outcome predictor. BDNF is initially synthetized as precursor protein proBDNF and is cleaved to mature BDNF (mBDNF) while only the latter exerts neurotrophic activity.AimThe aim was to explore if a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit for mBDNF in serum would be superior to the unspecific assessment of total serum BDNF in predicting treatment response in MDD.MethodsTwenty-five patients with MDD underwent standardized treatment with duloxetine. Severity of depression was measured by Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) at baseline (BL), after one (W1), two (W2) and six weeks (W6) of treatment. Treatment response was defined as a HDRS ≥ 50% reduction of BL score at W6. mBDNF and total BDNF serum levels were determined at BL, W1 and W2.ResultsA high and stable correlation was found between mBDNF and total BDNF serum levels over all measurements. The predictive value of mBDNF BL levels and mBDNFΔW1 to response was similar to that of total BDNF BL and total BDNFΔW1. The assessment of serum mBDNF was not superior to total BDNF in prediction of treatment outcome.ConclusionsNot only baseline total BDNF but also mBDNF is predictive to treatment outcome. The later might represent the main player in this respect, which supports the idea of a functional link between neuroplasticity and MDD.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals BDNF and the Antidepressant Effects of Ketamine and Propofol in Electroconvulsive Therapy: A Preliminary Study

2020 ◽  
Vol Volume 16 ◽  
pp. 901-908 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xing-Bing Huang ◽  
Xiong Huang ◽  
Hong-Bo He ◽  
Fang Mei ◽  
Bin Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electroconvulsive Therapy ◽  
Antidepressant Effects ◽  
Preliminary Study

scholarly journals Higher Serum C-Reactive Protein Levels in Catatonic Patients: A Comparison to Non-catatonic Patients and Healthy Controls

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 1155-1164
Author(s):  
Fu-Chun Zhou ◽  
Joseph W Y Lee ◽  
Qi-Hang Zhang ◽  
Zuo-Li Sun ◽  
Qijing Bo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scale ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Complement Component ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Hs Crp

Abstract Catatonia is a psychomotor syndrome defined by a constellation of predominantly motor symptoms. The aim of the present study was to determine whether recently admitted psychiatric patients with catatonia exhibited higher serum C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels compared to non-catatonic psychiatric patients and healthy controls (HCs). Recently admitted psychiatric patients were screened and evaluated for the catatonia syndrome using the Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). The study sample was formed by 150 individuals (39 male and 111 female), including 51 catatonic patients, 55 non-catatonic patients, and 44 HCs. Serum hs-CRP levels were processed with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum levels of creatine kinase (CK), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), immunoglobulin G (IgG), complement component 3 (C3), and complement component 4 (C4) were also determined. There was a significantly higher percentage of patients with high inflammatory levels (hs-CRP &gt; 3000ng/ml) in the catatonic (43.1%) than in the non-catatonic (14.5%) or HCs group (9.1%) (χ 2 =18.9, P &lt; .001). Logistic regression showed that catatonic patients had significantly higher hs-CRP levels compared to non-catatonic patients even after controlling for other clinical and laboratory variables (OR = 3.52, P = .015, 95% CI 1.28–9.79). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that log-transformed hs-CRP was independently predicted by body mass index and log-transformed C4, ACTH, and Cortisol in catatonic patients. Findings of the present study suggest that catatonia is specifically linked to a higher level of systemic inflammation, not merely attributable to the overall psychopathology, or alterations in the stress level and complement system.

scholarly journals Hippocampal-subregion functional alterations associated with antidepressant effects and cognitive impairments of electroconvulsive therapy

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (08) ◽  
pp. 1357-1364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tongjian Bai ◽  
Qiang Wei ◽  
Wen Xie ◽  
Anzhen Wang ◽  
Jiaojian Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electroconvulsive Therapy ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Cognitive Impairments ◽  
Structural Connectivity ◽  
Angular Gyrus ◽  
Resting State Functional Connectivity ◽  
Antidepressant Effects ◽  
Emotion And Memory ◽  
Middle Occipital Gyrus ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractBackgroundElectroconvulsive therapy (ECT), an effective antidepressive treatment, is frequently accompanied by cognitive impairment (predominantly memory), usually transient and self-limited. The hippocampus is a key region involved in memory and emotion processing, and in particular, the anterior-posterior hippocampal subregions has been shown to be associated with emotion and memory. However, less is known about the relationship between hippocampal-subregion alterations following ECT and antidepressant effects or cognitive impairments.MethodsResting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) based on the seeds of hippocampal subregions were investigated in 45 pre- and post-ECT depressed patients. Structural connectivity between hippocampal subregions and corresponding functionally abnormal regions was also conducted using probabilistic tractography. Antidepressant effects and cognitive impairments were measured by the Hamilton Depressive Rating Scale (HDRS) and the Category Verbal Fluency Test (CVFT), respectively. Their relationships with hippocampal-subregions alterations were examined.ResultsAfter ECT, patients showed increased RSFC in the hippocampal emotional subregion (HIPe) with the left middle occipital gyrus (LMOG) and right medial temporal gyrus (RMTG). Decreased HDRS was associated with increased HIPe-RMTG RSFC (r = −0.316, p = 0.035) significantly and increased HIPe-LMOG RSFC at trend level (r = −0.283, p = 0.060). In contrast, the hippocampal cognitive subregion showed decreased RSFC with the bilateral angular gyrus, and was correlated with decreased CVFT (r = 0.418, p = 0.015 for left; r = 0.356, p = 0.042 for right). No significant changes were found in structural connectivity.ConclusionThe hippocampal-subregions functional alterations may be specially associated with the antidepressant and cognitive effects of ECT.

Electroconvulsive therapy in elderly - a preliminary study

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. s230-s230
Author(s):  
C. Agostinho ◽  
M. Duarte ◽  
R. Alves ◽  
I. Cunha ◽  
A.M. Batista
Keyword(s):  
Electroconvulsive Therapy ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Bipolar Depression ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Unipolar Depression ◽  
Normal Range ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionStudies with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in elderly focus mainly on the assessment of possible side effects on the cognitive functioning; there are few studies that evaluate the effectiveness.ObjectiveEvaluate the effectiveness of this treatment in the population over 65 years.AimsPerform a preliminary study to evaluate the response to ECT of ≥ 65 years patients with depression.MethodsWe carry out a descriptive study based on patients treated in the last 10 years in the ECT Unit of Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa.ResultsOur initial sample consisted of 457 patients. We select patients aged ≥ 65 years with depression, and with complete data, including electroconvulsive parameters, and initial and final Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) scores (n = 59). Of this, 81.36% (n = 48) had unipolar depression, and 18.64% (n = 11) had bipolar depression. In the first group, the mean variation between the initial and final scores in HRSD was 13.88 points, and 27.10% (n = 13) of the patients ended the treatment in the normal range of HRSD score. In the second group, the mean variation was 12.82, and 63.60% (n = 7) ended the treatment in the normal range of HRSD. Considering the initial and final HRSD scores, it appears that unipolar depression group presents higher values (severe depression) (P < 0.05). When we compare the mean variation between the initial and final HRSD scores, we didn’t observe a statistically significant difference between the two groups. There was a clinical improvement in both.ConclusionsThe acute treatment with ECT appears to improve depressive symptoms in bipolar and unipolar depression, when considering an elderly population.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Rapamycin, an Immunosuppressant and mTORC1 Inhibitor, Triples the antidepressant Response Rate of Ketamine at 2 Weeks Following Treatment: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over, randomized clinical trial

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chadi Abdallah ◽  
Lynnette A Averill ◽  
Ralitza Gueorguieva ◽  
Selin Goktas ◽  
Prerana Purohit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scale ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Acute Effects ◽  
Antidepressant Response ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Significant Treatment ◽  
Time Interaction ◽  
Antidepressant Effects

BACKGROUND: Ketamine exerts rapid and robust antidepressant effects thought to be mediated by activation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). To test this hypothesis, depressed patients were pretreated with rapamycin, an mTORC1 inhibitor, prior to receiving ketamine. METHODS: Twenty-three patients suffering a major depressive episode were randomized to oral rapamycin (6 mg) or placebo, each was followed 2 hours later by ketamine 0.5 mg/kg in a double-blind cross-over design with treatment days separated by at least 2 weeks. Depression severity was assessed using Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Antidepressant response was defined as a MADRS improvement of 50% or more. RESULTS: Over the two-week follow-up, we found a significant treatment by time interaction (F(8,245) = 2.02, p = 0.04), reflecting prolonged antidepressant effects post rapamycin+ketamine treatment. At 2 weeks, we found a significantly higher response rate following rapamycin+ketamine (41%) compared to placebo+ketamine (13%, p = 0.04). However, rapamycin pretreatment did not alter the acute effects of ketamine. CONCLUSION: Unexpectedly, pretreatment with rapamycin prolonged rather than blocked the acute antidepressant effects of ketamine. This observation raises questions about the role of mTORC1 in the antidepressant effects of ketamine, raises the possibility that rapamycin may extend the benefits of ketamine, and thereby potentially sheds light on mechanisms that limit the duration of ketamine effects. The supplementing of ketamine with rapamycin may be a treatment strategy for reducing the frequency of ketamine infusions during maintenance treatment.

scholarly journals Lysophosphatidic acid and lysophosphatidylcholine levels in serum samples of patients with major depressive disorder

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumaia Bari ◽  
Sharmin Sultana ◽  
Sohel Daria ◽  
Maliha Afrin Proma ◽  
Md. Rabiul Islam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Lysophosphatidic Acid ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Medical University

ABSTRACTMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is a heterogeneous condition featured with a continuous low mood, feeling of sadness, lack of interest to perform daily activities. Many factors including genetic, physiological, biological, social, and environmental are thought to be connected with the pathophysiology of depression. Several previous studies failed to identify the favorable biomarkers for MDD. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC)showed important roles in the regulation of emotion among experimental animals. The current study aimed to measure the serum levels of LPA and LPC in MDD patients and healthy controls (HCs) to explore their roles and relationship with depression. This case-control study enrolled 53 MDD patients and 50 healthy controls (HCs). The patients were recruited from the department of psychiatry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University whereas the controls was from different locations of Dhaka city. Both the cases and controls were strictly matched by gender, age, and body mass index. A qualified psychiatrist diagnosed patients and evaluated controls based on the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 5th edition. The severity of depression in MDD patients was measured by using the Hamilton depression rating scale (Ham-D). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to measure serum levels LPA and LPC. We found no alterations of these parameters in serum levels of MDD patients compared to HCs. A significant positive correlation was found between serum LPA and LPC levels in MDD patients. Moreover, the present study showed no significant associations between target markers and either diagnosis of depression or Ham-D scores, or management of depression. The present study suggests that LPA and LPC levels probably would not serve as potential biomarkers of MDD. Thus, further studies with large and more homogeneous populations are recommended to explore the exact relationship between targeted serum lipids and major depression.

scholarly journals Disturbance of Oxidative Stress Parameters in Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Disorder and Their Association With Electroconvulsive Therapy Response

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 207-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qinyu Lv ◽  
Qiongyue Hu ◽  
Wenzhong Zhang ◽  
Xinxin Huang ◽  
Minghuan Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Electroconvulsive Therapy ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Treatment Resistant ◽  
Young Mania ◽  
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ◽  
Oxidative Stress Parameters ◽  
Stress Parameters

Abstract Objective Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective option for treatment-resistant bipolar disorder (trBD). However, the mechanisms of its effect are unknown. Oxidative stress is thought to be involved in the underpinnings of BD. Our study is the first, to our knowledge, to report the association between notable oxidative stress parameters (superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px], catalase [CAT], and malondialdehyde [MDA]) levels and ECT response in trBD patients. Methods A total 28 trBD patients and 49 controls were recruited. Six-week ECT and naturalistic follow-up were conducted. SOD, GSH-Px, CAT, and MDA levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Young Mania Rating Scale were administered at baseline and the end of the 6th week. MANCOVA, ANCOVA, 2 × 2 ANCOVA, and a multiple regression model were conducted. Results SOD levels were lower in both trBD mania and depression (P = .001; P = .001), while GSH-Px (P = .01; P = .001) and MDA (P = .001; P = .001) were higher in both trBD mania and depression compared with controls. CAT levels were positively associated with 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores in trBD depression (radjusted  = 0.83, P = .005). MDA levels in trBD decreased after 6 weeks of ECT (P = .001). Interestingly, MDA levels decreased in responders (P = .001) but not in nonresponders (P &gt; .05). Conclusions Our study indicates that decreased SOD could be a trait rather than a state in trBD. Oxidative stress levels are associated with illness severity and ECT response. This suggests that the mechanism of oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of trBD.

Changes in inflammatory biomarkers are related to the antidepressant effects of Ayahuasca

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 1125-1133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Leite Galvão-Coelho ◽  
Ana Cecília de Menezes Galvão ◽  
Raíssa Nóbrega de Almeida ◽  
Fernanda Palhano-Fontes ◽  
Isaac Campos Braga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interleukin 6 ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Serum Cortisol ◽  
Inflammatory Biomarkers ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Antidepressant Effects ◽  
Pre Treatment

Background: Ayahuasca is a traditional Amazon brew and its potential antidepressant properties have recently been explored in scientific settings. We conducted a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of ayahuasca with treatment-resistant depression patients ( n = 28) and healthy controls ( n = 45). Aims: We are evaluating the blood inflammatory biomarkers: C-reactive protein and interleukin 6, as a potential consequence of ayahuasca intake and their correlation with serum cortisol and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels. Blood samples were collected at pre-treatment and 48 hours after substance ingestion to assess the concentration of inflammatory biomarkers, together with administration of the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale. Results: At pre-treatment, patients showed higher C-reactive protein levels than healthy controls and a significant negative correlation between C-reactive protein and serum cortisol levels was revealed ( rho = –0.40, n = 14). C-reactive protein in those patients was not correlated with Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale scores. We observed a significant reduction of C-reactive protein levels across time in both patients and controls treated with ayahuasca, but not with placebo. Patients treated with ayahuasca showed a significant correlation ( rho = + 0.57) between larger reductions of C-reactive protein and lower depressive symptoms at 48 hours after substance ingestion (Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale). No significant result with respect to interleukin 6 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor was found. Furthermore, these biomarkers did not predict the antidepressant response or remission rates observed. Conclusions: These findings enhance the understanding of the biological mechanisms behind the observed antidepressant effects of ayahuasca and encourage further clinical trials in adults with depression.

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