Effect of antidepressive therapy on retinal contrast processing in depressive disorder.
BACKGROUND
Recently, we reported a reduced retinal contrast gain in unmedicated and medicated patients with major depression.


OBJECTIVE
To analyse whether the contrast gain normalises after successful antidepressive therapy by recording the pattern electroretinogram (PERG) in healthy controls and patients with depression before and after antidepressive therapy.


METHODS
Fourteen patients diagnosed with major depression were repeatedly scanned and the results compared with that from 40 matched controls.


RESULTS
The retinal contrast gain was lower at baseline in patients with depression, was normalised with remission and correlated with the severity of depression. Patients who did not achieve remission retained significantly lower contrast gain at follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The study provides evidence for a state-dependent modulation of retinal contrast gain in patients with major depression. Reduced contrast gain normalised after therapy. A PERG-based contrast gain could serve as a state marker of depression.
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Hauptstrasse 5, Freiburg, Germany.
Emanuel
E
Bubl
Dieter
D
Ebert
Elena
E
Kern
Ludger Tebartz
LT
van Elst
Michael
M
Bach
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004596:Electroretinography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents