title: Changes in plasma and platelet BDNF levels induced by S-citalopram in major depression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neuroplastic processes are thought to be involved in the pathophysiology of major depression. It has been reported that serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is decreased in depressed patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Compare BDNF levels in depressed patients and healthy controls in platelet poor plasma and in washed platelets. Observe the effects of 8- and 24-week treatment with S-citalopram on these levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed the levels of BDNF in platelet poor plasma and in washed platelets from 18 major depression patients, and compared them with 14 healthy controls. Blood samples were obtained from patients before and during treatment (8 and 24 weeks) with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, S-citalopram.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant decrease in severity of depressive symptoms was observed from the first month of treatment with S-citalopram, and symptoms continued decreasing until the 6th month. Plasma BDNF levels in untreated patients appeared significantly increased (p<0.01) but reached values similar to those of controls at the 24th week. In contrast, levels of platelet BDNF appeared significantly decreased (p<0.05), but treatment also normalized levels so that values obtained were equivalent to those of controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Untreated depressed patients showed increased plasma BDNF levels and decreased platelet BDNF levels, as compared with control subjects, and tend to normalize during treatment with S-citalopram for 24 weeks, with BDNF reaching levels similar to those in healthy controls at the 24th week in both samples. We observed that improvement in depressive symptoms was accompanied by normalization of plasma and platelet BDNF levels.
authors.affiliation: Servei de Salut Mental, Consorci Hospitalari de Vic, Francesc Pla, el Vigatà n°1, 08500, Vic Barcelona, Spain. serra2mont@yahoo.es
authors.forename: Montserrat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serra-Millàs
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: López-Vílchez
authors.forename: Víctor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Navarro
authors.forename: Ana-María
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Galán
authors.forename: Ginés
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Escolar
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Penadés
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Catalán
authors.forename: Lourdes
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fañanás
authors.forename: Bárbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Arias
authors.forename: Cristóbal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gastó
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D015283:Citalopram / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D015283:Citalopram; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors