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.
