Plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (pBDNF) and executive dysfunctions in patients with major depressive disorder

AbstractObjectives: Executive dysfunctions are frequently seen in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and normalise in many cases during effective antidepressant therapy. This study investigated whether a normalisation of executive dysfunctions during antidepressant treatment correlates with or can be predicted by clinical parameters or levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).Methods: In 110 MDD patients with executive dysfunctions (percentile <16), executive functions and plasma BDNF levels were analysed at baseline, and days 14 and 56 of an antidepressant treatment. BDNF exon IV and P11 methylation status was studied at baseline.Results: Eighty patients (73%) experienced a normalisation of executive dysfunctions, while 30 (27%) suffered from persistent dysfunctions until day 56. Patients with persistent dysfunctions had significantly higher HAMD scores at days 14 and 56, and lower plasma BDNF levels at each time point than patients with a normalisation of dysfunctions (F1= 10.18; P ...