PMID- 23793276 OWN - NLM STAT- MEDLINE DCOM- 20130827 LR - 20220318 IS - 0353-5053 (Print) IS - 0353-5053 (Linking) VI - 25 IP - 2 DP - 2013 Jun TI - Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in depressed women treated with open-label escitalopram. PG - 128-32 AB - BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest the important role of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the etiopathogenesis of major depressive disorder (MDD) and the mechanism of action of antidepressants. This study aimed to correlate serum levels of BDNF and clinical symptoms in patients with MDD before and after 6 months treatment with escitalopram. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty women diagnosed with MDD and 20 aged-matched healthy female controls were recruited. The patients received escitalopram 10-20 mg/day. BDNF serum levels were measured at inclusion, week 4, week 12 and week 24. The Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) was used to assess the severity of depressive symptoms and the clinical evolution of patients. Statistical analysis was performed using both observed cases and last observation carried forward. RESULTS: At baseline, low serum levels of BDNF were associated with MDD. In women with MDD, escitalopram seems to have a positive effect on BDNF serum levels in parallel with the clinical response. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that a good clinical evolution under treatment with escitalopram might be associated with increases of BDNF levels in female patients. FAU - Ladea, Maria AU - Ladea M AD - Clinical Psychiatric Hospital, Prof. Dr. Alexandru Obregia, Berceni Street 10-12, 041902 Bucharest, Romania. marialadea@gmail.com FAU - Bran, Mihai AU - Bran M LA - eng PT - Journal Article PT - Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't PL - Croatia TA - Psychiatr Danub JT - Psychiatria Danubina JID - 9424753 RN - 0 (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) RN - 0DHU5B8D6V (Citalopram) SB - IM MH - Adolescent MH - Adult MH - Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/*blood/drug effects MH - Citalopram/*pharmacology/therapeutic use MH - Depressive Disorder, Major/*blood/drug therapy MH - Female MH - Follow-Up Studies MH - Humans MH - Middle Aged MH - Pilot Projects MH - Psychiatric Status Rating Scales MH - Severity of Illness Index MH - Treatment Outcome MH - Young Adult EDAT- 2013/06/26 06:00 MHDA- 2013/08/28 06:00 CRDT- 2013/06/25 06:00 PHST- 2013/06/25 06:00 [entrez] PHST- 2013/06/26 06:00 [pubmed] PHST- 2013/08/28 06:00 [medline] PST - ppublish SO - Psychiatr Danub. 2013 Jun;25(2):128-32.