Cited by 25Treatment of Major DepressionTryptophan and brain disordersAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Improved Alertness Is Associated with Early Increase in Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Antidepressant Treatment Outcome in Major Depression

Mikoteit, Thorsten, Hemmeter, Ulrich, Eckert, Anne, Brand, Serge, Bischof, Roland, Delini-Stula, Alexandra, Holsboer-Trachsler, Edith, Beck, Johannes·2015·Neuropsychobiology

Abstract

Background/Aims: In major depression cognitive impairment is common and may persist despite improvement in psychopathology. So far it is unclear how closely related improvement in cognitive functioning is to the clinical course of depression. Further, it is unclear whether recovery from cognitive impairment is linked to changes in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (sBDNF). The objectives of this study were (1) to explore the predictive value of cognitive impairment for therapeutic outcome, and (2) to assess the association between cognitive performance and sBDNF levels over a 6-week course of antidepressant treatment. Methods: Twenty-five adult patients suffering from major depression underwent standardized treatment with duloxetine. Both severity of depression as assessed by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and sBDNF levels were measured at baseline, and after 1, 2 and 6 weeks of treatment. Cognitive performance, i.e. alertness, working memory, and divided attention, was assessed at baseline, after 1 week, and at the end of treatment after 6 weeks. Results: Higher performance in alertness and divided attention at baseline correlated with less severe depression at week 6. During the first week of treatment, a greater increase in sBDNF was associated with a greater improvement in alertness at week 6. Conclusion: Greater alertness at baseline was a predictor of favorable antidepressive treatment outcome. Moreover, the early increase in sBDNF correlated with improvement in attention functioning. Thus, recovery from cognitive impairment and an early increase in sBDNF seem to be associated.

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Crossref · 10.1159/000437439

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  • Better divided attention appears to predict treatment efficacy independently of baseline depression severity.

    “Better divided attention appears to predict treatment efficacy independently of baseline depression severity36”

    From Paying attention to attention in depression (2019) · cites this paper as [36]

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Authors
Mikoteit, T., Hemmeter, U., Eckert, A., Brand, S., Bischof, R., Delini-Stula, A., Holsboer-Trachsler, E., & Beck, J.
Affiliations
  • California Center for Sleep Disorders (US)
  • Kantonale Psychiatrische Dienste St Gallen (CH)
  • University of Basel (CH)
Venue
Neuropsychobiology
Publisher
S. Karger AG
Published
2015
Volume
72
Issue
1
Pages
16-28
ISSN
  • 0302-282X (ISSN-L)
  • 1423-0224
OpenAlex
W1793700335
Cited by
25
References
85
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 3
FWCI
1.92
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Neuropsychobiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • edoc (University of Basel) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
major depressive disorder, cognitive impairment, alertness, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, serum BDNF, antidepressant treatment outcome, duloxetine, working memory, divided attention, treatment outcome prediction
MeSH terms
Duloxetine Hydrochloride, Adult, Analysis of Variance, Antidepressive Agents, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Cognition Disorders, Major Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Male, Memory Disorders, Memory, Short-Term, Middle Aged, Neuropsychological Tests, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor

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