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Brain derived neurotrophic factor gene polymorphism (Val66Met) and short-term antidepressant response in major
Mei Hung Chi1, Hui Hua Chang, Sheng-Yu Lee
1Department of Psychiatry, Hospital and College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Backgrounds:
To determine the association between the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism and short-term antidepressant response in Taiwanese patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).
Methods:
We recruited 117 MDD patients who were randomized to fluoxetine or venlafaxine treatment and 106 controls. The association between genotypes and percentage changes in the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) scores over time was analyzed by repeated-measures ANOVA. The antidepressants were included in the model as covariates.
Results:
The frequency of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphisms was not significantly different between patient and control groups. Significantly changes in HAM-D scores were noted after 2 and 4 weeks of venlafaxine treatment among different genotypes.
Conclusions:
Results suggest antidepressants acting through different mechanisms may affect the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism differently.
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