Lower choline-containing metabolites/creatine (Cr) rise and failure to sustain NAA/Cr levels in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex are associated with depressive episode recurrence under maintenance therapy: a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy retrospective cohort study

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Neven Henigsberg
• Author: Helena Šarac
• Author: Marko Radoš
• Author: Milan Radoš
• Author: David Ozretić
• Author: Tamara Foro
• Author: Viktorija Erdeljić Turk
• Author: Pero Hrabač
• Author: Maja Bajs Janović
• Author: Benedict Rak
• Author: Petra Kalember
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences

Abstract (english)

Background:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between changes in proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) parameters at the start of the index episode recovery phase and at recurrence in patients with recurrent depression who were treated with prolonged maintenance therapy. -----

Methods:

1H-MRS parameters were analyzed in 48 patients with recurrent depression who required maintenance therapy with antidepressant medication prescribed by a psychiatrist and who continued with the same antidepressant during the maintenance phase, either to recurrence of depression, completion of the 10-year observation period, or the start of the withdrawal phase (tapering-off antidepressant). N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline-containing metabolites (Cho), creatine (Cr), and glutamine/glutamate were measured at the start of the recovery phase and 6 months later. -----

Results:

Recurrent depressive episodes occurred in 20 patients. These individuals had a smaller increase in Cho/Cr after the beginning of the recovery phase compared to the non-recurrent patient group and also exhibited a decreased NAA/Cr ratio. -----

Conclusion:

Sustainable NAA and increased Cho levels at the onset of the recovery phase of the index episode are early markers of antidepressant effectiveness associated with a lower risk of major depressive disorder recurrence. The NAA and Cho changes in the non-recurrent group may be attributable to increased brain resilience, contrary to the transient temporal effect observed in subjects who experienced a depressive episode.

• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Frontiers in Psychiatry
• Numbering: vol. 8, p. 277
• p-ISSN: 1664-0640
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00277
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:027703
• Publication: 2017-12-13
• Document URL: http://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00277
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-03-28 09:21:15