title: Early changes in prefrontal activity characterize clinical responders to antidepressants.
abstract: Previous studies have shown that changes in brain function precede clinical response to antidepressant medications. Here we examined quantitative EEG (QEEG) absolute and relative power and a new measure, cordance, for detecting regional changes associated with treatment response. Fifty-one adults with unipolar depression completed treatment trials using either fluoxetine or venlafaxine vs. placebo. Data were recorded at baseline and after 48 h and 1 week on drug or placebo. Baseline and change from baseline values were examined for specific brain regions in four subject groups (medication and placebo responders and nonresponders). No regional baseline QEEG differences were found among the groups; there also were no significant changes in theta power over time. In contrast, medication responders uniquely showed significant decreases in prefrontal cordance at 48 h and 1 week. Clinical differences did not emerge until after four weeks. Subjects with greater changes in cordance had the most complete 8-week responses. These findings implicate the prefrontal region in mediating response to antidepressant medications. Cordance may have clinical applicability as a leading indicator of individual response.
authors.affiliation: Quantitative EEG Laboratory, Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital, UCLA School of Medicine, University of California, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759, USA. icook@ucla.edu
authors.forename: Ian A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Andrew F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Leuchter
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Elise
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Witte
authors.forename: William F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Stubbeman
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abrams
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.forename: Sebastian H J
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Uijtdehaage
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D005473:Fluoxetine; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride