Abstract
PurposeSortilin-derived propeptide (PE) and its synthetic analog spadin show strong antidepressant activity in rodents and, therefore, could be used as a biomarker to evaluate the clinical efficacy of antidepressant treatments. The aim of this study was to determine whether electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) modulates serum PE concentration in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD).Patients and methodsForty-five patients with major depressive disorder, who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV criteria, were selected for this study.ResultsWe did not observe any difference in the PE levels between TRD patients and controls (z=0.10, P=0.92), but we found a strong significant increase between the PE levels measured just before (T0) and about 1 month (T2) after ECT (z=−2.82, P=0.005). A significant difference between T0 and T2 was observed only in responders (z=−2.59, P=0.01), whereas no effect was found in nonresponders (z=−1.27, P=0.20). Interestingly, we found a significant correlation between the increase in PE levels and decrease in Montgomery -Åsberg Depression Rating Scale scores for the total patient sample (P=0.03).ConclusionThis study indicates for the first time that ECT affects serum PE concentration in responders and, therefore, could contribute to the evaluation of the therapy success.
Highlights
The inefficacy of pharmacological treatments for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) may reach up to 30% and remains as a crucial problem for psychiatrists and patient’s family
We addressed here the possibility that the sortilin-derived PE can be used as a biological marker to monitor the effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in treatment-resistant depression” (TRD) patients
We did not observe any difference in the PE levels for TRD patients and controls (z=0.10, P=0.92; Figure 1A), but we found a strong significant increase between the PE levels measured just before (T0) and 1 month (T2) after ECT (z=-2.82, P=0.005; Figure 1A)
Summary
The inefficacy of pharmacological treatments for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) may reach up to 30% and remains as a crucial problem for psychiatrists and patient’s family.
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