Changes of serum concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) during treatment with venlafaxine and mirtazapine: role of medication and response to treatment.

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.