Journal
PHARMACOPSYCHIATRY
Volume 46, Issue 2, Pages 54-58Publisher
GEORG THIEME VERLAG KG
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1321908
Keywords
brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); depression; remission; antidepressant
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Funding
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft [DFG De 660/7-1]
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Introduction: Depression, stress and antidepressant treatment have been found to modulate the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Recent research suggests that serum BDNF concentration is reduced in depression and that antidepressant treatment leads to an increase in serum BDNF concentration. Methods: We studied depressed patients receiving a randomized antidepressant treatment with either mirtazapine (n = 29) or venlafaxine (n = 27) for 28 days in a prospective design. Changes in the concentrations of serum neurotrophins in response to antidepressant treatment were assessed. Results: There was a significant treatment by medication interaction effect on BDNF serum concentrations that indicated a decline of BDNF in venlafaxine-treated patients (7.82 +/- 3.75-7.18 +/- 5.64 ng/ml), while there was an increase in mirtazapine-treated patients (7.64 +/- 6.23-8.50 +/- 5.37 ng/ml). There was a trend for a treatment by remission interaction with a favourable clinical course being related to increasing serum BDNF. Discussion: Changes in BDNF serum concentrations as a result of antidepressant therapy depend on the antidepressant and potentially on the clinical course.
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