Effects of electroconvulsive therapy on serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor in treatment resistant major depression

•We examined the effects of ECT on serum BDNF and NGF levels in depression.•Baseline serum BDNF and NGF levels in treatment resistant depression were lower.•Significant increases in serum BDNF levels were observed after ECT.•Serum NGF levels did not increase significantly after ECT.•There was no relation between severity of the depression and serum BDNF and NGF levels.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the effects of electroconvulsive treatment on serum BDNF and NGF levels in patients with treatment-resistant major depression.MethodsThirty patients with treatment-resistant major depression and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. The patients’ serum BDNF and NGF levels were measured three times; before treatment (T0), when the clinical response occurred (T1) and at the end of treatment (T2).ResultsThe reduction detected in the HAM-D scores with ECT during the T0–T1, T1–T2 and T0–T2 periods was found to be statistically significant. In the patient group, increase in the mean BDNF levels after ECT treatment was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). Significant increases in serum BDNF levels with ECT were lower than in the control group, and the serum NGF levels did not increase significantly. There was no relationship between the severity of the depression and serum BDNF and NGF levels (p > 0.05).ConclusionsThis study evaluated the role of neurotrophic factors in the etiopathogenesis of major depression. Future studies should investigate the relationship between neurotrophic factors with neuroendocrine and genetic processes to elucidate the psychobiology and treatment of mental disorders.