Association between Methyl-CpG-binding Protein 2 and Major Depressive Disorder

Abstract Background: In animal and human cross-sectional studies, methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) is associated with depression. But studies examining alterations in MeCP2 levels in patients with depression receiving antidepressant treatment are scarce. Methods: In this study, we intended to collect blood samples of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and healthy controls at baseline and after a four-week antidepressant treatment. We measured blood levels of MeCP2 messenger RNA (mRNA) in both the groups. Results: We recruited 48 patients with MDD (women = 36/48, mean age ± S.D. being 44.63 ± 12.11 years) and 38 healthy controls (women = 26/38, mean age ± standard deviation being = 34.75 ± 7.28 years). The MeCP2 mRNA blood levels of the MDD group at baseline (4.02 ± 4.40) and that of the healthy group at baseline (2.18 ± 1.98) were significantly higher ( t = 2.58, p < 0.05). After a four-week antidepressant treatment, the MeCP2 mRNA blood level was significantly decreased in treatment responders ( n = 31, pretreatment = 4.19 ± 4.02; posttreatment = 3.40 ± 3.19, p = 0.01), but not in nonresponders ( n = 15, pretreatment = 3.15 ± 3.47; posttreatment = 3.08 ± 4.42, nonsignificance). After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and educational levels, MeCP2 mRNA blood levels significantly predicted the treatment response in patients with MDD treated with antidepressants compared to those treatment nonresponders (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 1.23 [1.01–1.53], p < 0.05 ). Conclusion: The MeCP2 mRNA blood levels might play an important rôle in patients with MDD. But we need a larger sample to strengthen the study findings in the future.