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Rhythmic low-field magnetic stimulation may improve depression by increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 February 2018

Le Xiao ,
Christoph U. Correll ,
Lei Feng ,
Yu-Tao Xiang ,
Yuan Feng ,
Chang-Qing Hu ,
Rena Li  and
Gang Wang
Le Xiao
Affiliation:
The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
Christoph U. Correll
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, The Zucker Hillside Hospital, Northwell Health, Glen Oaks, New York, United States
Lei Feng
Affiliation:
The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
Yu-Tao Xiang
Affiliation:
Unit of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China
Yuan Feng
Affiliation:
The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
Chang-Qing Hu
Affiliation:
The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
Rena Li
Affiliation:
The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
Gang Wang*
Affiliation:
The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr. Gang Wang, Mood Disorders Center, Beijing Anding Hospital, No. 5 Ankang Lane, Deshengmenwai Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing 100088, China. (Email: gangwangdoc@gmail.com)
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Abstract

Background

Low-field magnetic stimulation (LFMS) has mood-elevating effect, and the increase of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is associated with antidepressant treatment. We evaluated the effects and association with BDNF of rhythmic LFMS in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).

Methods

A total of 22 MDD patients were randomized to rhythmic alpha stimulation (RAS) or rhythmic delta stimulation (RDS), with 5 sessions per week, lasting for 6 weeks. Outcomes assessments included the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD–17), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), and the Clinical Global Impressions–Severity scale (CGI–S) at baseline and at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. Serum BDNF level was measured at baseline and at weeks 2, 4, and 6.

Results

HAMD–17, HAMA, and CGI–S scores were significantly reduced with both RAS and RDS. RAS patients had numerically greater reductions in HAMD–17 scores than RDS patients (8.9 ± 7.4 vs. 6.2 ± 6.2, effect size [ES]=0.40), while RDS patients had greater improvement in HAMA scores (8.2 ± 8.0 vs. 5.3 ± 5.8, ES=0.42). RAS was associated with clinically relevant advantages in response (54.5% vs. 18.2%, number-needed-to-treat [NNT]=3) and remission (36.4% vs. 9.1%, NNT=4). BDNF increased significantly during the 6-week study period (p<0.05), with greater increases in RAS at weeks 4 and 6 (ES=0.66—0.76) and statistical superiority at week 2 (p=0.034, ES=1.23). Baseline BDNF in the 8 responders (24.8±9.0 ng/ml) was lower than in the 14 nonresponders (31.1±7.3 ng/ml, p=0.083, ES=–0.79), and BDNF increased more in responders (8.9±7.8 ng/ml) than in nonresponders (1.8±3.5 ng/ml, p=0.044). The change in BDNF at week 2 was the most strongly predicted response (p=0.016).

Conclusions

Rhythmic LFMS was effective for MDD. BDNF may moderate/mediate the efficacy of LFMS.

Keywords

Major depressive disorderrhythmic magnetic stimulationbrain-derived neurotrophic factormoderatormediator
Type
Original Research
Information
CNS Spectrums , Volume 24 , Issue 3 , June 2019 , pp. 313 - 321
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2018 

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Footnotes

This study was funded by the Beijing Municipal Administration of Hospitals, Clinical Medicine Development of Special Funding Support no. ZYLX201403; by the Beijing Municipal Administration of Hospitals Clinical Medicine Development of Special Funding Support no ZYLX201607; by the Beijing Municipal Administration of Hospitals Incubating Program, Code no. PX2017048; by the National Key Technology Research and Development Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China grant no. 2015BAI13B03; and by the Beijing Municipal Administration of Hospitals’ Ascent Plan, Code no. DFL20151801.

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