Original scientific paper

BRAIN DERIVED NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR (BDNF) LEVELS IN DEPRESSED WOMEN TREATED WITH OPEN-LABEL ESCITALOPRAM

Maria Ladea ; Clinical Psychiatric Hospital “Prof. Dr. Alexandru Obregia”, Bucharest, Romania
Mihai Bran ; Clinical Psychiatric Hospital “Prof. Dr. Alexandru Obregia”, Bucharest, Romania

Abstract

Background: Recent studies suggest the important role of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the etiopathogenesis of
major depressive disorder (MDD) and the mechanism of action of antidepressants. This study aimed to correlate serum levels of
BDNF and clinical symptoms in patients with MDD before and after 6 months treatment with escitalopram.
Subjects and methods: Twenty women diagnosed with MDD and 20 aged-matched healthy female controls were recruited. The
patients received escitalopram 10-20 mg/day. BDNF serum levels were measured at inclusion, week 4, week 12 and week 24. The
Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) was used to assess the severity of depressive symptoms and the clinical
evolution of patients. Statistical analysis was performed using both observed cases and last observation carried forward.
Results: At baseline, low serum levels of BDNF were associated with MDD. In women with MDD, escitalopram seems to have a
positive effect on BDNF serum levels in parallel with the clinical response.
Conclusions: This study suggests that a good clinical evolution under treatment with escitalopram might be associated with
increases of BDNF levels in female patients.

Keywords

brain derived neurotrophic factor – BDNF – depression - escitalopram

Hrčak ID:

161167

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/161167

Publication date:

10.6.2013.

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