The impact of electroconvulsive therapy on the tryptophan-kynurenine metabolic pathway

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
Sinan GuloksuzBart P F Rutten

Abstract

There is still limited knowledge about the mechanism of action of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the treatment of depression. Substantial evidence suggests a role for the immune-moderated tryptophan (TRP)-kynurenine (KYN) pathway in depression; i.e. a depression-associated disturbance in the balance between the TRP-KYN metabolites towards a neurotoxic process. We, therefore, aimed to investigate the impact of ECT treatment on the TRP-KYN pathway, in association with ECT-related alterations in depressive symptoms. Twenty-three patients with unipolar or bipolar depression, treated with bilateral ECT twice a week were recruited. Blood serum samples, and depression scores using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 items (HDRS) as well as the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were collected repeatedly during the period of ECT and until 6 weeks after the last ECT session. TRP and KYN metabolites were analyzed in serum using the High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Four patients could not complete the study; thereby yielding data of 19 patients. Analyses were performed using multilevel linear regression analysis. There was an increase in kynurenic acid (KYNA) (B=0.04, p=0.001), KYN/TRP ratio (B=0.14, p=0.001), KYNA/KYN ratio (...Continue Reading

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Citations

Aug 9, 2017·Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience : the Official Scientific Journal of the Korean College of Neuropsychopharmacology·Amit Singh, Sujita Kumar Kar
Sep 11, 2019·The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology·D A DornbiererO G Bosch
Mar 9, 2019·Frontiers in Psychiatry·Eva Z ReininghausBernd Reininghaus
Apr 14, 2019·Molecular Psychiatry·Jonathan Savitz
Oct 31, 2020·Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience : the Official Scientific Journal of the Korean College of Neuropsychopharmacology·Ather Muneer
Apr 18, 2021·Journal of Psychiatric Research·Hiroshi TateishiAkira Monji
May 25, 2021·Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews·Samara J BrownKelly A Newell
May 29, 2021·International Journal of Tryptophan Research : IJTR·Johann SteinerGregory F Oxenkrug

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