Effect of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation(TMS) on Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Depressed Patients.

Effect of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) on Serum Levels of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Depressed Patients.

To investigate the change in brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) between pre and post treatment for patients with depression with either ECT or TMS.

Inclusion Criteria:

• MDD or bipolar disorder;
• current depressive episode, ham-d17>17 and ymrs<8;
• recommended to receive ECT or TMS as part of clinical care;
• male/female;
• age 18-65;
• inpatient or outpatient;
• comorbid dysthymic disorder, gad, or social anxiety will be included;
• able to give written consent and agree.

Exclusion Criteria:

• current manic, hypomanic, or mixed episode, ymrs>7;
• current schizophrenia, anorexia, bulimia, substance dependence (current within past 6 months excluding caffeine and nicotine);
• TMS or ECT in the last 3 months;
• any other primary diagnosis;
• uncontrolled medical illness;
• epilepsy or severe personality disorder at the discretion of the investigators;
• 3 weeks prior to first blood test, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics can not be added or increased;
• pregnant women or women of childbearing potential not willing to use appropriate contraception, nursing women;
• known intolerance or lack of response to treatment receiving as judged by the investigator;
• medical conditions that would affect serum levels of BDNF;
• involvement in planning and conduct of the study.