Brain-derived neurotrophic factor serum levels following ketamine and esketamine intervention for treatment-resistant depression: secondary analysis from a randomized trial.
Ana Teresa Caliman-Fontes, Gustavo C Leal, Fernanda S Correia-Melo, Camilla S Paixão, Michelle S Carvalho, Ana Paula Jesus-Nunes, Flávia Vieira, Guilherme Magnavita, Igor D Bandeira, Rodrigo P Mello, Graziele Beanes, Samantha S Silva, Mariana Echegaray, Lucas P Carvalho, Paulo Machado, Aline S Sampaio, Taiane de A Cardoso, Flávio Kapczinski, Acioly L T Lacerda, Lucas C Quarantini
Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy March 7, 2023 DOI: 10.47626/2237-6089-2021-0298 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized, double-blind clinical trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 53 |
| Population | Participants with treatment-resistant depression |
| Interventions | Ketamine Esketamine |
| Dose | ketamine 0.5 mg/kg; esketamine 0.25 mg/kg |
| Duration | Single-dose intervention with assessments before and 24 hours, 72 hours, and 7 days after infusion; blood samples collected before infusion, 24 hours, and 7 days afterwards |
| Measures | Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), serum BDNF levels |
| Topics | Depression Ketamine Esketamine |
| Keywords | Humans Brain-derived neurotrophic factor Depressive disorder, treatment-resistant Bdnf Biochemical markers Neurotrophins Nmda antagonists |
| Key findings | Neither ketamine nor esketamine produced significant changes in serum BDNF levels at 24 hours or 7 days after a single infusion, and BDNF levels did not differ between the two drugs or correlate with treatment response or depression severity, despite both drugs showing similar therapeutic effects. |
Abstract
Objectives: Evidence suggests that ketamine's influence on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) might be involved in its mechanism of rapid antidepressant action. We aimed to evaluate the differential impact of ketamine and esketamine on serum BDNF levels and its association with response patterns in treatment-resistant depression (TRD).
Methods: Participants (n = 53) are from a randomized, double-blind clinical trial comparing the efficacy of single-dose ketamine (0.5mg/kg, n = 27) and esketamine (0.25mg/kg, n = 26) in TRD. Depression severity was assessed before and 24 hours, 72 hours, and 7 days after the intervention, using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Blood samples were collected before infusion, 24 hours, and 7 days afterwards.
Results: There were no significant changes in BDNF levels at post-infusion evaluation points, and no difference in BDNF levels comparing ketamine and esketamine. Both drugs exhibited similar therapeutic effect. There was no association between BDNF levels and response to treatment or severity of depressive symptoms.
Conclusion: There was no significant treatment impact on BDNF serum levels - neither with ketamine nor esketamine - despite therapeutic response. These results suggest that ketamine or esketamine intervention for TRD has no impact on BDNF levels measured at 24 hours and 7 days after the infusion.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on esketamine for depression, most cited first.