Key result
Higher baseline VEGF correlates with greater depression symptom reduction after ECT, but not antidepressant drugs.
Why the study?
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is implicated in neuronal processes in major depressive disorder and antidepressant mechanisms, but its association with treatment response is unclear.
Are baseline serum VEGF levels associated with the antidepressant response to ECT or drug treatment in patients with major depressive disorder?
Observational (n=117)
Are baseline serum VEGF levels associated with the antidepressant response to ECT or drug treatment in patients with major depressive disorder?
p-value: p=0.003
Baseline serum VEGF levels may serve as a predictive biomarker for clinical response to electroconvulsive therapy in patients with treatment-resistant depression.
Baseline VEGF may associate with antidepressant response in MDD; leaves open whether levels should guide therapy selection.
OBJECTIVE: 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. The aim of this study was to investigate whether VEGF serum levels before treatment might be associated with the antidepressant response. METHOD: 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 (T0) and after 12 weeks (T1). The second group was composed of 67 treatment-resistant depressed (TRD) patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Illness severity was assessed before the treatment (T0) and 1 month after the end of ECT (T1). Blood samples for VEGF measurements were collected for both groups at the baseline (T0). RESULTS: A significant correlation was observed between baseline VEGF serum levels and the percentage reduction in depressive symptomatology after ECT (P = 0.003). In particular, VEGF levels at baseline were significantly lower in patients showing no response to ECT at follow-up (P = 0.008). No correlation between T0 VEGF concentrations and drug treatment outcome was found. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that VEGF plays a role in the mechanism of response to ECT.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Minelli et al. (2013) conducted an observational in Major depressive disorder (n=117). Baseline serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels was evaluated on Percentage reduction in depressive symptomatology (p=0.003). Baseline serum VEGF levels significantly correlated with the percentage reduction in depressive symptomatology after electroconvulsive therapy (P=0.003), but not after antidepressant drug treatment.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: