Abstract
Several studies have shown that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) results in increased hippocampal volume. It is likely that a multitude of mechanisms including neurogenesis, gliogenesis, synaptogenesis, angiogenesis, and vasculogenesis contribute to this volume increase. Neurotrophins, like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) seem to play a crucial mediating role in several of these mechanisms. We hypothesized that two regulatory SNPs in the VEGF and BDNF gene influence the changes in hippocampal volume following ECT. We combined genotyping and brain MRI assessment in a sample of older adults suffering from major depressive disorder to test this hypothesis. Our results show an effect of rs699947 (in the promotor region of VEGF) on hippocampal volume changes following ECT. However, we did not find a clear effect of rs6265 (in BDNF). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study investigating possible genetic mechanisms involved in hippocampal volume change during ECT treatment.
Highlights
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most effective biological treatment for major depressive disorder[1]
In line with our hypothesis, our results show an effect of rs699947 genotype on hippocampal volume changes during ECT treatment
Animal models of ECT (ECS) have shown upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and this upregulation was most prominent in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus[58]
Summary
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most effective biological treatment for major depressive disorder[1]. Despite the proven excellent effectiveness of this treatment, much of the exact working mechanisms of ECT remain largely unknown[4]. Several studies, both in late-life depression and younger adults have shown that ECT results in an increased hippocampal volume[5,6]. Both in late-life depression and younger adults have shown that ECT results in an increased hippocampal volume[5,6] This increase seems to be dosedependent, with a higher number of ECT sessions resulting in more pronounced enlargement[7].
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