Effects of electroconvulsive therapy on plasma levels of neuroactive steroids in inpatients with major depression

Abstract

Objectıve. Neuroactive steroids (NAS) are neuroactive molecules that have been shown to be associated with various psychiatric disorders. There are some inconclusive findings about the alteration in neuroactive steroid levels after the treatment of depression and ECT is still one of the most effective treatment choices for treatment resistant depression. Thus, we aimed to investigate the alterations of several NAS in plasma after ECT in inpatients with treatment resistant depression. Methods. In this study we enrolled 19 consecutive patients, 12 female and 7 male inpatients with major depression, who were not responding to medication, for whom ECT was Indicated, and were not taking any antidepressant treatment for at least a week prior to enrolment. We measured plasma progesterone, testosterone, pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and estradiol levels before and after ECT. Results. The mean age of the participants was 38.3 ± 9.4 years. The mean plasma neuroactive steroid levels were insignificant between baseline and post ECT in patients with treatment resistant depression. Conclusıons. ECT does not seem to influence plasma neuroactive steroid levels in patients with treatment resistant depression. Additionally, plasma dehydroepiandrosterone and pregnenolone levels might be associated with improvement in depressive symptoms after ECT.

Key words::

• Neuroactive steroid
• depression
• ECT
• dehydroepiandrosterone
• pregnenolone

Acknowledgement

The study team would like to thank all the patients that have made this study possible. Also, we would like to thank the members of the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Istanbul University

Statement of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest in the research. This study was funded by the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Istanbul University.