Journal of International Psychiatry

[Objective] To explore the effects of different anti-depressant drugs on serum S100B protein (S100B) and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cognitive function in patients with depression. [Methods] 120 cases of depression patients were divided into the observation group and the control group with 60 cases in each group according to the random number table method. The observation group was treated with agomelatine, and the control group was treated with venlafaxine. The symptoms (Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Montgomery Depression Scale (MARDS)], cognitive function [Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS)], and the experience of pleasure [Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS)] and the serum S100B and BDNF levels were compared between the two groups before treatment and after 6 weeks of treatment, and the incidence rate of adverse reactions was recorded in the two groups. [Results] After 6 weeks of treatment, the symptoms severity (HAMD, MARDS scores), SHAPS score and S100B level in two groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05) while the RBANS score and BDNF level were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05), and the changes degree in the observation group was greater than that in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence rate of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05). [Conclusions] Agomelatine is more effective than venlafaxine in depressive patients, and the S100B and BDNF indexes levels are better in the former one, and it has significant roles in improving the patients symptoms, cognitive function and pleasure experience.

Agomelatine; Venlafaxine; Cognitive function; S100B protein; Brain-derived neurotrophic factor