Blood Biological Markers for Prediction of Escitalopram Response in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: Preliminary Study

Abstract

Introduction: Lots of studies have been performed to predict the response to antidepressants in patients with major depressive disorder. The findings were however controversial. Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between response to escitalopram and several peripheral biomarkers in major depressive disorder (MDD). Material and Methods: Forty-eight MDD patients diagnosed by DSM-IV-TR were enrolled the study, and all were treated with escitalopram. The end-point of the study was 8 weeks after starting the treatment. Twenty-seven patients were completed the study. Their depressive symptoms were evaluated using the 17-items Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD17). The patients whose HAMD17 reduced 50% or more at 8 weeks were defined as responders. The peripheral biomarkers were assayed with ELISA or high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: Plasma 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenil glycol (MHPG) level at starting escitalopram in the responders were significantly higher than those in nonresponders (p = 0.0032). Any other factors were not different between the responders and the nonresponders. Conclusion: These results suggest that MHPG level can predict the response to escitalopram