Nerve growth factor serum levels in treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients following electroconvulsive therapy
V. 172 N. 1 (2021), Research article
V. 172 N. 1 (2021)

Nerve growth factor serum levels in treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients following electroconvulsive therapy: doi: 10.7417/CT.2021.2286

Research article
Pubblicato 2020-12-21 — Aggiornato il 2021-01-12
F. Pacitti
Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila
M. Fiore
Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, Rome, Italy
P. Tirassa
Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, Rome, Italy
M. Ceccanti
SITAC, Societa’ Italiana per il Trattamento dell’Alcolismo, Rome
M. Vitali
ASUR Marche-AV4
A. Quartini
Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome
P. Orsi
Anaesthesiology and Reanimation Unit, Department of Neurosciences, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Rome
M. Caredda
Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome
L. Aloe
Fondazione IRET, Tecnopolo di Bologna – sede di Ozzano (BO)
G. Bersani
Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome
A. Iannitelli
Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila

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Parole chiave

Neurotrophins (NTs)
Nerve Growth Factor (NGF)
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
Seizure
Schizophrenia
Treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS)

Abstract

Background
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) has been widely applied to treat schizophrenia (SCZ) in the presence of resistance to pharmacotherapy. The mechanism of action of ECT in schizophrenia has not been fully clarified, though its intrinsic mechanism presents analogies with some neurobiological processes mediated by nerve growth factor (NGF). 

Objectives
The aim of this study was to investigate in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) the effect of ECT on acute and long-term NGF serum levels and the association with the clinical outcomes.

Methods
Twelve male inpatients with TRS underwent eight sessions of ECT. Blood samples were collected during the first and the eighth ECT at the following time points: 5 minutes before the induction of seizure and then at 0, 5, 15 and 30 minutes after seizure. 

Results
Following ECT treatment, a substantial clinical improvement in symptom severity was indicated by a significant reduction in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total and subscales scores. Even though the baseline NGF levels showed an increase over time, there were no statistical differences in NGF at time 0 at the first and the eighth ECT session. Furthermore, no correlation was observed between the severity of schizophrenic symptoms and NGF levels. 

Conclusions
This is the first study addressing peripheral NGF during ECT treatment in TRS, as well as the first study in which NGF has been evaluated in different ECT sessions at various time points. These findings may potentiate the knowledge about the neurotrophic effects of ECT and the role of NGF in synaptic plasticity related to possible mechanisms of schizophrenia treatment

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