Brain-derived neurotrophic factor serum concentrations in depressive patients during vagus nerve stimulation and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation.
BACKGROUND
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex are brain stimulation techniques used as therapeutic interventions in major depression.


METHODS
In this study, we report the impact of these stimulation techniques on serum concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in treatment-resistant patients with a diagnosis of major depression.


RESULTS
We found no changes of BDNF serum concentrations and no association of neurotrophin concentrations in serum with clinical parameters in our sample.


CONCLUSIONS
Our preliminary results suggest that brain stimulation techniques-in contrast to several antidepressant medications-do not change BDNF serum concentrations.
Lang
Undine E
UE
Department of Psychiatry, University of Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01099 Dresden, Germany. undine.lang@gmx.de
Bajbouj
Malek
M
Gallinat
Juergen
J
Hellweg
Rainer
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000502:physiology*
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor