Association between baseline serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels and response to electroconvulsive therapy. (20th August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Minelli, A.; Maffioletti, E.; Bortolomasi, M.; Conca, A.; Zanardini, R.; Rillosi, L.; Abate, M.; Giacopuzzi, M.; Maina, G.; Gennarelli, M.; Bocchio‐Chiavetto, L.
• Is Part Of: Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica. Volume 129:Number 6(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 461
• Page End: 466
• Publication Date: 2013-08-20
• Subjects: Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1111/acps.12187
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-690X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="acps12187-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="acps12187-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>Several studies have shown that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is implicated in different neuronal processes involved in major depressive disorder (MDD) and in the mechanisms of action of antidepressants.</p> <p>The aim of this study was to investigate whether VEGF serum levels before treatment might be associated with the antidepressant response.</p> </sec> <sec id="acps12187-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Method</title> <p>Two groups of patients were enrolled. One was composed of 50 MDD patients receiving an antidepressant drug treatment. Illness severity was measured before the treatment (<italic>T</italic><sub>0</sub>) and after 12 weeks (<italic>T</italic><sub>1</sub>). The second group was composed of 67 treatment‐resistant depressed (TRD) patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Illness severity was assessed before the treatment (<italic>T</italic><sub>0</sub>) and 1 month after the end of ECT (<italic>T</italic><sub>1</sub>). Blood samples for VEGF measurements were collected for both groups at the baseline (<italic>T</italic><sub>0</sub>).</p> </sec> <sec id="acps12187-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>A significant correlation was observed between baseline VEGF serum levels and the percentage reduction in depressive symptomatology after ECT (<italic>P</italic> = 0.003). In particular, VEGF levels at baseline were significantly lower in patients showing no response to ECT at follow‐up (<italic>P</italic> = 0.008). No correlation between <italic>T</italic><sub>0</sub> VEGF concentrations and drug treatment outcome was found.</p> </sec> <sec id="acps12187-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Our results suggest that VEGF plays a role in the mechanism of response to ECT.</p> </sec> </abstract>