Brain functional changes during placebo lead-in and changes in specific symptoms during pharmacotherapy for major depression.
OBJECTIVE
Brain functional changes during placebo lead-in have been associated with antidepressant response in clinical trials for major depressive disorder (MDD); however, the relationship between such non-pharmacodynamic changes in brain function and changes in specific symptoms is unknown.


METHODS
Fifty-eight adults with MDD completed a 1-week single-blind placebo lead-in preceding 8 weeks of double-blind randomized treatment with fluoxetine or venlafaxine (n = 30) or placebo (n = 28). Brain functional change during lead-in was assessed using quantitative electroencephalographic (qEEG) prefrontal theta-band cordance. Symptoms were assessed using the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R).


RESULTS
The multiple regression model examining the qEEG parameter in relation to SCL-90-R subscales was significant [F(9,9) = 4.27, P = 0.021, R(2) = 0.81] in females, with a significant association for the interpersonal sensitivity subscale (beta coefficient = 1.94, P = 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Prefrontal neurophysiologic change during placebo lead-in may indicate subsequent antidepressant-related improvement in symptoms of interpersonal sensitivity.
Hunter
A M
AM
Laboratory of Brain, Behavior, and Pharmacology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, 760 Westwood Plaza, Rm. 37-359, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759, USA. amhunter@ucla.edu
Ravikumar
S
S
Cook
I A
IA
Leuchter
A F
AF
D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D003511:Cyclohexanols; D005473:Fluoxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride