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Brain-derived neurotrophic factor serum concentrations in depressive patients during vagus nerve stimulation and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

Psychopharmacology volume 187, pages 56–59 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex are brain stimulation techniques used as therapeutic interventions in major depression.

Methods

In this study, we report the impact of these stimulation techniques on serum concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in treatment-resistant patients with a diagnosis of major depression.

Results

We found no changes of BDNF serum concentrations and no association of neurotrophin concentrations in serum with clinical parameters in our sample.

Conclusion

Our preliminary results suggest that brain stimulation techniques—in contrast to several antidepressant medications—do not change BDNF serum concentrations.

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Acknowledgements

Undine E. Lang and Malek Bajbouj contributed equally to this paper.

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Author notes

  1. Undine E. Lang

    Present address: Department of Psychiatry, University of Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01099, Dresden, Germany

Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany

    Malek Bajbouj & Rainer Hellweg

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany

    Juergen Gallinat

Authors
  1. Undine E. Lang
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  2. Malek Bajbouj
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  3. Juergen Gallinat
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  4. Rainer Hellweg
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Undine E. Lang.

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Lang, U.E., Bajbouj, M., Gallinat, J. et al. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor serum concentrations in depressive patients during vagus nerve stimulation and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. Psychopharmacology 187, 56–59 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-006-0399-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-006-0399-y

Keywords

  • Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
  • Major depression
  • Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)
  • Transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)