Serum and plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor and response in a randomized controlled trial of riluzole for treatment resistant depression.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is decreased in individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD). Pre-clinical and clinical reports suggest that the glutamate release inhibitor riluzole increases BDNF and may have antidepressant properties. Here we report serum (sBDNF) and plasma (pBDNF) levels from a randomized controlled, adjunctive, sequential parallel comparison design trial of riluzole in MDD. METHODS:Serum and plasma BDNF samples were drawn at baseline and weeks 6 and 8 from 55 subjects randomized to adjunctive treatment with riluzole or placebo for 8 weeks. RESULTS:Riluzole responders had lower baseline serum (19.08?ng/ml [SD 9.22] v. 28.80?ng/ml [9.63], p?=?0.08) and plasma (2.72?ng/ml [1.07] v. 4.60?ng/ml [1.69], p?=?0.06) BDNF compared to non-responders at a trend level. This pattern was nominally seen in placebo responders for baseline pBDNF to some degree (1.21?ng/ml [SD 1.29] v. 3.58?ng/ml [SD 1.67], p?=?0.12) but not in baseline sBDNF. LIMITATIONS:A number of limitations warrant comment, including the small sample size of viable BDNF samples and the small number of riluzole responders. CONCLUSIONS:Preliminary evidence reported here suggests that lower baseline BDNF may be associated with better clinical response to riluzole.

SUBMITTER: Wilkinson ST 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6140345 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature