title: Differences in Cognitive Outcomes After ECT Depending on BDNF and COMT Polymorphisms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed to explore cognitive outcomes after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) depending on which version of common single nucleotide polymorphisms the patient expressed for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 87 patients from the clinical ECT service in Aberdeen, Scotland, were included in the study. Cognitive function testing (using Spatial Recognition Memory task from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery and Mini-Mental State Examination) and mood ratings (Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale) were performed before ECT, after 4 treatments, at the end of ECT and 1 and 3 months after the end of treatment. These scores were compared depending on BDNF and COMT variant at each time point using the Student t test and using a time series generalized least squares random effects model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No differences were found between the val and met versions of the BDNF or COMT polymorphism in either cognitive or mood outcomes at any time point during ECT treatment or up to 3 months of follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study did not detect significant differences in cognitive or mood outcomes between patients who have the val66val or met versions of the BDNF polymorphism. Our results suggest that these polymorphisms will not be helpful in clinical practice for predicting cognitive outcomes after ECT.
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Applied Medicine (Psychiatry), University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: Daniel Mark
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Currie
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fernie
authors.forename: Jennifer S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Perrin
authors.forename: Ian C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Reid
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D003071:Cognition; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; C579455:BDNF protein, human; C588010:COMT protein, human; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase