Is it possible to predict the long-term response to venlafaxine with the use of biological markers and psychophysiological methods?
BACKGROUND
The present study investigated whether it is possible to predict the medium term response to venlafaxine using biological markers and psychophysiological methods.


METHODS
Fourteen (14) patients aged 21-60 years suffering from Major Depression according to DSM-IV were included in the study.


METHODS
The SCAN v 2.0 and the IPDE were used to assist clinical diagnosis. Patients were investigated with electrooculogram (EOG), Pattern-Reversal Visual Evoked Potentials (PR-VEPs), Dexamethasone Suppression Test (DST), D-fenfluramine Challenge Test, and brain Single Photon Emission Tomography (SPECT). Venlafaxine 150-225 mg per os daily was administered. The follow-up period was 2 years.


METHODS
Chi-square test and ANOVA were used for the analysis of data.


RESULTS
There was a lower left globus pallidus regional cerebral blood flow in patients with better response. On the contrary, chronic patients were closer to normality.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the current study provide preliminary evidence concerning our ability to predict response to venlafaxine and to understand its way of action.
Fountoulakis
K N
KN
Laboratory of Psychophysiology, 3rd Department of Psychiatry, Aristotle University of Thesssaloniki, Greece. kfount@med.auth.gr
Iacovides
A
A
Karamouzis
M
M
Gerasimou
G
G
Grammatikos
Ph
P
Fotiou
F
F
Kaprinis
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003907:Dexamethasone; D020372:Dexfenfluramine; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology; D004585:Electrooculography / Q000187:drug effects; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000187:drug effects; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005917:Globus Pallidus / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D012008:Recurrence; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride; D003907:Dexamethasone; D011388:Prolactin; D020372:Dexfenfluramine; D006854:Hydrocortisone