A Comparative Study of ERPs between First-episode and Recurrent Depression Treated with Qishen Fukang Capsules

Objective To explore the features of clinical symptoms and event-related potential change before and after treatment between first-episode and recurrent depression treated with Qishen Fukang capsules.Methods 40 patients of first-episode depression and 42 cases of recurrent depression from the Third Hospital of PLA were given Qishen Fukang capsules for 8 weeks and their conditions were evaluated using 24-item Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD).The cognition function was determined by the change of P300 before and after treatment.Another 40 healthy controls were given the same test simultaneously.Results(1) The HAMD scores of patients decreased significantly first-episode(30.01±5.41) score vs.(10.45±3.18) score;recurrent(30.45±4.28) score vs.(13.66±3.40) score.(2)After treatment,the latency period of P2,N2,P3 was shortened and amplitudes were elevated.Compared with first-episode group,the latency period of P3 was longer and the amplitude of P2,P3 was lower in recurrent depression group before treatment.The latency period of P2,N2,P3 was longer and the amplitude was lower in recurrent depressions group after treatment.(3)Compared with the controls,patients of first-episode and recurrent depression had longer latency periods and lower amplitudes of P2,N2,P3 before treatment.The latency period of P2,N2,P3 was of no statistical significance in first-episode patients after treatment.Conclusion The cognitive function has improved in patients with first-episode and recurrent depression after medication.Better effect is achieved among patients of first-episode depression.