Brain-Derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plasma level increases in patients with resistant schizophrenia treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Abstract

Objectives

The study aimed to assess the effect of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) on plasma BDNF levels in patients with resistant schizophrenia.

Methods

It was a cohort study that included 60 patients with resistant schizophrenia fulfilling the DSM-5 criteria of schizophrenia and APA criteria of resistant schizophrenia. They were divided into two groups, followed over 4 weeks, and compared to their baseline assessment. Group (A) included 45 patients who received 4–10 sessions of ECT while Group (B) included 15 patients who received the usual treatment with antipsychotics without ECT. The assessment included the severity of psychotic symptoms assessed by the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) in addition to plasma BDNF level.

Results

Patients in Group (A) had an increased level of BDNF after treatment with a statistically significant difference in comparison to their baseline BDNF level (P = 0.027). Meanwhile, patients in group (B) showed a non-significant increase in BDNF. Patients in both groups improved significantly in all PANSS subscales after treatment.

Conclusions

It was concluded that plasma BDNF levels in patients with resistant schizophrenia increase after electroconvulsive therapy in association with clinical improvement.

Key points

• BDNF increases after ECT treatment of resistant schizophrenia.

• BDNF is not correlated with the severity of psychotic symptoms

• Patients treated with ECT showed a better response.

Keywords:

• BDNF
• ECT
• resistant schizophrenia

Disclosure statement

All authors state that they have no conflicts of interest in the manuscript, including financial, consultant, institutional, and other relationships that might lead to bias or a conflict of interest.