BDNF serum levels and promoter methylation of BDNF exon I, IV and VI in depressed patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy.
We examined potential changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) serum levels and promoter methylation of the BDNF gene in 11 patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder during a series of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Blood samples were taken before, 1 and 24 h after ECT treatment sessions 1, 4, 7 and 10. Patients remitting under ECT had significantly lower mean promoter methylation rates, especially concerning the exon I promoter, compared to non-remitters (both p < 0.002). These findings may point to a depression subtype in which ECT is particularly beneficial.
Laboratory for Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neubergstr. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany, kleimann.alexandra@mh-hannover.de.
Alexandra
A
Kleimann
Alexandra
A
Kotsiari
Wolfgang
W
Sperling
Michael
M
Gröschl
Annemarie
A
Heberlein
Kai G
KG
Kahl
Thomas
T
Hillemacher
Stefan
S
Bleich
Johannes
J
Kornhuber
Helge
H
Frieling
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D061218:Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005091:Exons; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; C579455:BDNF protein, human