Changes in BDNF serum levels in patients with major depression disorder (MDD) after 6 months treatment with sertraline, escitalopram, or venlafaxine.
Recent studies have implicated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the pathophysiology of depression and the activity of antidepressant drugs. Serum BDNF levels are lower in depressed patients, and increase in response to antidepressant medication. However, how BDNF responds to different classes of antidepressant drugs is unknown. We assessed serum BDNF levels in 21 patients with major depressive episode treated with sertraline, escitalopram, or venlafaxine and 20 healthy controls. Serum samples were collected between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. at baseline, 5 weeks, and 6 months of treatment. BDNF levels were measured via immunoassay. The severity of symptoms and response to treatment were assessed by the Hamilton rating scales for depression (HRSD). Baseline serum BDNF levels were significantly lower in depressed patients compared to controls. Sertraline increased BDNF levels after 5 weeks and 6 months of treatment. Venlafaxine increased BDNF levels only after 6 months. Escitalopram did not affect BDNF levels at either time point. A significant negative association was found between percentage increase in BDNF levels and percentage decreased in HRSD scores after 6 months of treatment. In conclusion, these results suggest that different antidepressant drugs have variable effects on serum BDNF levels. This is true even though the three different drugs were equally effective in relieving symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University of Rome "La Sapienza" "Sant'Andrea" Hospital, Via di Grottarossa, 1035/1039, 00189 Rome, Italy.
Francesco
F
Matrisciano
Stefania
S
Bonaccorso
Angelo
A
Ricciardi
Sergio
S
Scaccianoce
Isabella
I
Panaccione
Lily
L
Wang
Amedo
A
Ruberto
Roberto
R
Tatarelli
Ferdinando
F
Nicoletti
Paolo
P
Girardi
Richard C
RC
Shelton
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D015283:Citalopram / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D020280:Sertraline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D015283:Citalopram; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride; D020280:Sertraline