Serum Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels Following Electroconvulsive Therapy in Treatment-resistant Depressed Patients

Abstract Objectives: To determine whether serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are associated with response to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in treatment-resistant depressed patients with a relatively longer period of measurement. Methods: This study included 30 Japanese unipolar depressed patients with current major depressive episode. Montgomery-Äsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score was ≥21 in all subjects. ECT was performed twice a week for a total of 4-10 sessions. Serum BDNF levels were measured before ECT (T0), the day after the last ECT session (T1), and 1 month after the last ECT session (T2). Patient response to treatment was defined as a ≥50% decrease compared with the pretreatment total MADRS score. Results: Serum BDNF levels showed no significant variation among the patients during the entire study period. In responders, serum BDNF levels showed a progressive increase, and the differences between T0 and T1 and between T0 and T2 were significant (p=0.022 and p=0.007, respectively). In non-responders, serum BDNF levels showed a progressive decrease, and the difference between T0 and T2 was significant (p=0.012). No significant association was identified between change in serum BDNF level and change in total MADRS score in any of the patients following ECT. Conclusions: The present results showed that serum BDNF levels after ECT increased progressively in responders, but not in non-responders. Our results provide important information for understanding the exact role of BDNF in the antidepressive effects of ECT

環境デザイン教育に関する国際教育プログラムの構築と実施方法に関する研究

本研究では、2011年1月に本学で1週間にわたり実施された、アムステルダム在住の本学の吉良森子客員教授によるワークショップ「吉良森子と都市を考える」の実施経験をもとに、その準備・実施・フォローアップの経緯を概観するとともに、環境デザイン分野における国際教育プログラムの構築や実施方法に関して考察し、以下の4点に要約した。1. ワークショップにおける課題設定の重要性2. 詳細な講評を通して一人の建築家の視点を学ぶ重要性3. 国際教育プログラムにおけるインターネット活用の可能性4. グループワークへの参加の仕方を学ぶ重要性今後も、本ワークショップの実施を通して得た経験を生かし、海外の教育機関等との協力による海外での国際教育プログラムの実施方法とともに、日本国内で実施する国際的教育プログラムの構築方法について探究してゆくつもりである。This study examines the implementation method of international education program in environmental design through our experience of the preparation for, implementation of and follow-up on “Exploring Urban Design with Moriko Kira”, the intensive workshop held at Kobe Design University in January 2011, and summarizes as follows:1. Selecting a proper project for a design workshop is essential for success.2. Learning the perspective of one architect through thorough design review is significant.3. Utilizing the internet for communication in international education has great potential.4.Learning how to act in group work is important.We will make the most of the experience that we have gained through this workshop and explore the way to implement international education program in environmental design in Japan as well as in foreign counties through the collaboration with institutions in the world