Changes of Serum Concentrations of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) during Treatment with Venlafaxine and Mirtazapine: Role of Medication and Response to Treatment

Abstract

Introduction:

Depression, stress and antidepressant treatment have been found to modulate the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Recent research suggests that serum BDNF concentration is reduced in depression and that antidepressant treatment leads to an increase in serum BDNF concentration.

Methods:

We studied depressed patients receiving a randomized antidepressant treatment with either mirtazapine (n=29) or venlafaxine (n=27) for 28 days in a prospective design. Changes in the concentrations of serum neurotrophins in response to antidepressant treatment were assessed.

Results:

There was a significant “treatment” by “medication” interaction effect on BDNF serum concentrations that indicated a decline of BDNF in venlafaxine-treated patients (7.82±3.75–7.18±5.64 ng/mL), while there was an increase in mirtazapine-treated patients (7.64±6.23–8.50±5.37 ng/mL). There was a trend for a “treatment” by “remission” interaction with a favourable clinical course being related to increasing serum BDNF.

Discussion:

Changes in BDNF serum concentrations as a result of antidepressant therapy depend on the antidepressant and potentially on the clinical course.

Key words

brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) - depression - remission - antidepressant

*

^* Both authors contributed equally to this work.

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