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Effects of escitalopram on serum BDNF levels in elderly patients with depression: a preliminary report

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Abstract

Background and aims

Increasing evidence in the literature suggests a link between the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) system and adult depression, supporting a role in the pathophysiology of the disease and response to therapy. Few studies have reported BDNF serum levels in elderly depressed subjects and their relationship with antidepressant therapy. The aim of the study was to evaluate BDNF serum levels in naive elderly depressed patients, before and after antidepressant treatment.

Methods

We enrolled n = 5 elderly naive patients affected by depression, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV Text Revision criteria for major depressive episode. BDNF serum levels were evaluated through ELISA method. Cognitive functions were examined by Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and severity of depression was assessed by Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). BDNF levels were measured at baseline (T0) and after 2 months (T2) of escitalopram. Ten healthy elderly subjects were enrolled as a control group.

Results

The serum BDNF levels in patients (T0) and controls were 11.5 ± 0.6 and 13.6 ± 3.4 ng/ml (m ± SD), respectively. At T2, the patients showed a significant improvement of depressive symptoms (p < 0.05), with a not significant increase of MMSE. The serum BDNF concentrations increased to 16.0 ± 2.7 ng/ml at T2 (p < 0.05), beyond the levels of BDNF in controls. The increase in BDNF levels was significantly related to the improvement in GDS scores of the patients (r = 0.9, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Serum BDNF levels may be considered as a marker of response to antidepressant treatment for depression in the elderly.

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Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geriatric Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, S. Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035, 00189, Rome, Italy

    Antonio Martocchia, Fabrizia Comite, Giulia Maria Falaschi & Paolo Falaschi

  2. NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, S. Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy

    Martina Curto, Stefano Ferracuti & Paolo Girardi

  3. Department of Human Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

    Sergio Scaccianoce, Dionysios Xenos, Carla Nasca & Ferdinando Nicoletti

  4. I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, Pozzilli (IS), Italy

    Ferdinando Nicoletti

Authors
  1. Antonio Martocchia
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  2. Martina Curto
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  3. Sergio Scaccianoce
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  4. Fabrizia Comite
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  5. Dionysios Xenos
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  6. Carla Nasca
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  7. Giulia Maria Falaschi
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  8. Stefano Ferracuti
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  9. Paolo Girardi
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  10. Ferdinando Nicoletti
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  11. Paolo Falaschi
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Correspondence to Antonio Martocchia.

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Martocchia, A., Curto, M., Scaccianoce, S. et al. Effects of escitalopram on serum BDNF levels in elderly patients with depression: a preliminary report. Aging Clin Exp Res 26, 461–464 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-014-0194-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-014-0194-2

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