Abstract
BackgroundSerum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is decreased in individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD). Pre-clinical and clinical reports suggest that the glutamate release inhibitor riluzole increases BDNF and may have antidepressant properties. Here we report serum (sBDNF) and plasma (pBDNF) levels from a randomized controlled, adjunctive, sequential parallel comparison design trial of riluzole in MDD. MethodsSerum and plasma BDNF samples were drawn at baseline and weeks 6 and 8 from 55 subjects randomized to adjunctive treatment with riluzole or placebo for 8 weeks. ResultsRiluzole responders had lower baseline serum (19.08 ng/ml [SD 9.22] v. 28.80 ng/ml [9.63], p = 0.08) and plasma (2.72 ng/ml [1.07] v. 4.60 ng/ml [1.69], p = 0.06) BDNF compared to non-responders at a trend level. This pattern was nominally seen in placebo responders for baseline pBDNF to some degree (1.21 ng/ml [SD 1.29] v. 3.58 ng/ml [SD 1.67], p = 0.12) but not in baseline sBDNF. LimitationsA number of limitations warrant comment, including the small sample size of viable BDNF samples and the small number of riluzole responders. ConclusionsPreliminary evidence reported here suggests that lower baseline BDNF may be associated with better clinical response to riluzole.
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