Brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene polymorphisms and mirtazapine responses in Koreans with major depression

M. S. Lee, R. H. Kang, H. S. Chang, M. L. Wong, M. J. Choi, J. Y. Park, H. Y. Lee, I. K. Jung, S. H. Joe, L. Kim, S. H. Kim, Y. K. Kim, C. S. Han, B. J. Ham, H. J. Lee, Y. H. Ko, M. S. Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a candidate molecule for influencing the clinical response to antidepressant treatment. The aims of this study were to determine the relationship between the Val66Met polymorphism in the BDNF gene and the response to mirtazapine in 243 Korean subjects with major depressive disorder (MDD). The reduction in the Hamilton Depression score over the 8-week treatment period was not influenced by BDNF V66M genotypes. A marginal effect of genotype on somatic anxiety score was observed at baseline (P = 0.047 in the dominant model). However, genotype-time interaction had no effect on somatic anxiety score after the 8-week a treatment period. Plasma BDNF levels tended to increase during mirtazapine treatment, although without statistical significance (P = 0.055). After 8 weeks of mirtazapine treatment, plasma BDNF levels were higher in Met allele homozygotes (1499.7 ± 370.6 ng/mL) than in Val allele carriers (649.7 ± 158.5 ng/mL, P = 0.049). Our results do not support the hypothesis that the Val66Met promoter polymorphism in the BDNF gene influences the therapeutic response to mirtazapine in Korean MDD patients. However, our data indicate that this polymorphism results in increased plasma BDNF after mirtazapine treatment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1755-1763
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Psychopharmacology
Volume24
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010 Dec

Keywords

  • brain-derived neurotrophic factor
  • gene polymorphisms
  • major depression
  • mirtazapine
  • treatment response

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Pharmacology (medical)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene polymorphisms and mirtazapine responses in Koreans with major depression'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this