Abstract
Purpose
The relationship was investigated between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentrations, a BDNF polymorphism (196G>A), and the response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) among Chinese patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).
Patients and methods
A total of 125 patients and 91 healthy controls were enrolled. The disease progression and treatment responses were evaluated using the Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD24), the Hamilton anxiety scale, the Beck depression index, and BDNF concentrations at the baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after treatment. Responders were defined as patients with at least a 50% decrease in the HAMD24.
Results
The BDNF concentrations were significantly lower in MDD (947±297 vs 1187±236 pg/mL, p=0.019), in MDD with attempted suicide than those without (779±231 vs 993±298, p=0.024) at the baseline. The BDNF concentrations remarkably increased in response to SSRI treatment. Significant correlations were noted between the BDNF concentrations and suicide ideation or attempted suicide (p<0.01), but not with HAMD24 or depression. BDNF 196G>A correlated with neither suicide ideation nor treatment responses.
Conclusion
BDNF concentrations were significantly lower in patients with attempted suicide/ideation. BDNF concentrations could serve as a response marker for antidepressant treatment in MDD.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation Project of China (81671360), the Special Key Projects of Scientific and Technological Innovation for People’s Livelihood in Chongqing (CSTC2017SHMS-ZDYF0128, CSTC2018JCYJAX0164), the Medical Research Project of Chongqing Medical Planning Commission (2018QNXM014, 2017MSXM016) and the Scientific Research and Cultivation Project of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University (PYJJ2018-20). The authors appreciated the invaluable support of Chen-Zhong Xu and Ke Li with the data collection and Xiao-Ni Zhong, Wen-Feng Song and Bo Mi for their statistical support.
Abbreviation list
BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor; Val, valine; Met, methionine; SSRI, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; MDD, major depressive disorders.
Disclosure
Qing Ma was supported in part by the National Institute of Health (NIH) K08MH098794. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.