Association between plasma levels of BDNF and the antisuicidal effects of repeated ketamine infusions in depression with suicidal ideation

Abstract

Background: This study is the first to examine the association between plasma levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the antisuicidal effects of repeated ketamine infusions in depressed patients with suicidal ideation. Methods: Fifty-seven depressed patients with suicidal ideation received six ketamine infusions (0.5 mg/kg) during a 12 days period. Suicidality was measured with the Scale for Suicidal Ideations (SSI-part 1), item 10 of the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and item 3 of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) at baseline, 1 day after the first infusion (1 day), 1 day after the sixth infusion (13 days), and at 2 weeks after the last infusion (26 days). Plasma levels of BDNF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at baseline, 13 days, and 26 days. Results: Overall, 46 (80.7%) depressed patients with suicidal ideation had an antisuicidal response at 13 days. Despite a significant reduction in suicidal symptoms over time, no changes in plasma levels of BDNF were found after ketamine treatment when compared with baseline. Correlation analysis showed that no significant association was observed between the plasma levels of BDNF and the changes in the severity of suicidal symptoms as measured by SSI-part 1, item 10 of the MADRS, or item 3 of the HAMD at 1 day, 13 days, and 26 days (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results indicated that plasma levels of BDNF may not serve as a biomarker for determining the antisuicidal effects of six ketamine infusions in depressed patients with suicidal ideation.

The Mechanisms Behind Rapid Antidepressant Effects of Ketamine: A Systematic Review With a Focus on Molecular Neuroplasticity

“…Depressive symptoms of patients correlated with BDNF plasma levels for up to 72 h ( 128 ), while one found no correlation with mood responses ( 129 ). Other studies have found no differences in BDNF levels in plasma at the same time points despite significant improvements in mood ( 129 – 133 ). In a genome-wide association study, single nucleotide polymorphisms as well as whole genes involved in BDNF-TrkB signaling were shown to be associated with rapid and sustained antidepressant effects in patients with TRD ( 134 ).…”

Functional connectivity between the habenula and default mode network and its association with the antidepressant effect of ketamine

“…This study was part of a longitudinal and open‐label trial using ketamine for depression, conducted at the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Chen et al, 2021; Y. L. Zhou et al, 2020; Zheng et al, 2020). This clinical trial was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committees of the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University and was registered at http://www.chictr.org.cn/ (registration number: ChicCTR‐OOC‐17012239).…”

“…This study was part of a longitudinal and open-label trial using ketamine for depression, conducted at the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Chen et al, 2021;Zheng et al, 2020)…”

Baseline Plasma BDNF Levelsare Associated with Antianhedonic Effects of Repeated-Dose Intravenous Ketamine in Major Depressive Disorder

“…Another N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, memantine, could reverse anhedonia and increase BDNF concentrations in the prefrontal cortex [ 23 ]. The role of BDNF in the antisuicidal and antidepressant effects of ketamine at a subanaesthetic dose has been investigated in depressed individuals [ 24 - 27 ]. For example, Zheng et al found that baseline plasma BDNF (pBDNF) concentrations could predict the final antidepressant response to six ketamine treatments [ 26 ].…”