Modulation of neural oscillations in escitalopram treatment: a Canadian biomarker integration network in depression study

Current pharmacological agents for depression have limited efficacy in achieving remission. Developing and validating new medications is challenging due to limited biological targets. This study aimed to link electrophysiological data and symptom improvement to better understand mechanisms underlying treatment response. Longitudinal changes in neural oscillations were assessed using resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) data from two Canadian Biomarker Integration Network in Depression studies, involving pharmacological and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) trials. Patients in the pharmacological trial received eight weeks of escitalopram, with treatment response defined as ≥ 50% decrease in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Early (baseline to week 2) and late (baseline to week 8) changes in neural oscillation were investigated using relative power spectral measures. An association was found between an initial increase in theta and symptom improvement after 2 weeks. Additionally, late increases in delta and theta, along with a decrease in alpha, were linked to a reduction in MADRS after 8 weeks. These late changes were specifically observed in responders. To assess specificity, we extended our analysis to the independent CBT cohort. Responders exhibited an increase in delta and a decrease in alpha after 2 weeks. Furthermore, a late (baseline to week 16) decrease in alpha was associated with symptom improvement following CBT. Results suggest a common late decrease in alpha across both treatments, while modulatory effects in theta may be specific to escitalopram treatment. This study offers insights into electrophysiological markers indicating a favorable response to antidepressants, enhancing our comprehension of treatment response mechanisms in depression.

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Publication Details

Journal
Translational Psychiatry
Published
2024-10-12
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-024-03110-8
Citations
5
Primary Topic
Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.71

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article

Modulation of neural oscillations in escitalopram treatment: a Canadian biomarker integration network in depression study

Gustavo Turecki, Prabhjot Dhami, Cláudio N. Soares, Faranak Farzan et al.
5 citations
Translational Psychiatry
Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
1.71
article

Modulation of neural oscillations in escitalopram treatment: a Canadian biomarker integration network in depression study

Gustavo Turecki, Prabhjot Dhami, Cláudio N. Soares, Faranak Farzan, Raaj Chatterjee, Sagar V. Parikh, Susan Rotzinger, Jane Allyson Foster, Stephen R. Arnott, Benjamin Schwartzmann, Rudolf Uher, Pierre Blier, Roumen Milev, Sidney H. Kennedy, Yasaman Vaghei, Stefan M. Kloiber, Lena C. Quilty, Sravya Atluri, Benicio Noronha Frey, Timothy A. Allen, Chloé Stengel, Raymond W. Lam, Daniel J. Müller
article en
5 citations

Abstract

Current pharmacological agents for depression have limited efficacy in achieving remission. Developing and validating new medications is challenging due to limited biological targets. This study aimed to link electrophysiological data and symptom improvement to better understand mechanisms underlying treatment response. Longitudinal changes in neural oscillations were assessed using resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) data from two Canadian Biomarker Integration Network in Depression studies, involving pharmacological and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) trials. Patients in the pharmacological trial received eight weeks of escitalopram, with treatment response defined as ≥ 50% decrease in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Early (baseline to week 2) and late (baseline to week 8) changes in neural oscillation were investigated using relative power spectral measures. An association was found between an initial increase in theta and symptom improvement after 2 weeks. Additionally, late increases in delta and theta, along with a decrease in alpha, were linked to a reduction in MADRS after 8 weeks. These late changes were specifically observed in responders. To assess specificity, we extended our analysis to the independent CBT cohort. Responders exhibited an increase in delta and a decrease in alpha after 2 weeks. Furthermore, a late (baseline to week 16) decrease in alpha was associated with symptom improvement following CBT. Results suggest a common late decrease in alpha across both treatments, while modulatory effects in theta may be specific to escitalopram treatment. This study offers insights into electrophysiological markers indicating a favorable response to antidepressants, enhancing our comprehension of treatment response mechanisms in depression.

Translational PsychiatryVol. 14(1)
Dalhousie University (CA), Texas Medical Center (US), Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CA), University of British Columbia (CA), University of Ottawa (CA), Simon Fraser University (CA), University of Toronto (CA), Queen's University (CA), University of Michigan (US), Douglas Mental Health University Institute (CA), Indoc Research (CA), Unity Health Toronto, McGill University (CA), St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (CA), The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (US), McMaster University (CA)
Ontario Brain Institute, Government of Ontario, Michael Smith Health Research BC, Canadian Network for Research and Innovation in Machining Technology, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Servier, H. Lundbeck A/S, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, CIHR Skin Research Training Centre
Openalex Percentile: Top 16%
Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
1.71
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