The effect of different clinical features on error related negativity in first-episode depression patients

Abstract

Objective To investigate the variations of error related negativity(ERN)in first episode depression(FED)after treatment and the effect of different clinical features on ERN in FED patients. Methods 80 FED patients were divided into different subgroups according to their severity of depression, anxiety and retardation. According to the total score of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, they were divided into severe depression subgroup(n=34)and moderate depression subgroup(n=46). According to the total score of Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, they were divided into severe anxiety subgroup(n=43)and moderate anxiety subgroup(n=37). According to the retardation factor score of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, they were divided into severe retardation subgroup(n=30)and moderate retardation subgroup(n=50).Their ERN were tested before and after single treatment of escitalopram 10-20 mg per day for 8 weeks, and the differences of ERN indexes were compared between FED patients and healthy controls(HC), between FED patients before and after their treatment, and among subgroups of FED patients with different clinical features. Results The baseline ERN amplitudes of FED group were significantly higher than those of HC group(Z =-2.081, P 0.05; Z =-1.456, P>0.05).There were significant differences on ERN amplitude among severe depression subgroup, moderate depression subgroup and HC group(Z=7.648, P< 0.05), there were significant differences on ERN amplitude among severe anxiety subgroup, moderate anxiety subgroup and HC group(Z=8.097, P<0.05),there were also significant differences on ERN latency and amplitude among severe retardation subgroup, moderate retardation subgroup and HC group(F=7.437, P<0.05; Z=7.896, P<0.05). Conclusions The increased ERN amplitude in first episode depression is a possible trait mark. The variations of ERN indexes in depressive disorder are probably related with the severity of anxiety and retardation. Key words: Depressive disorder; Evoked potentials; Error related negativity