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Abstract
MDD patients exhibited persistent disruptions in the diurnal rhythms of several clock genes and hormones after 8 weeks of escitalopram treatment.
- Compared to healthy controls, MDD patients had altered expression patterns of clock genes including PERIOD1, PERIOD2, CRY1, BMAL1, NPAS2, and GSK-3β.
- Diurnal rhythms of melatonin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and growth hormone (GH) were also disrupted in MDD patients.
- Several disruptions in clock gene expression and hormone release persisted after treatment, indicating potential neurobiological changes related to MDD.
- Notable changes included increased 24-hour levels of VIP and decreased levels of cortisol and ACTH following treatment.
- These neurobiological changes may be associated with the symptoms of MDD that contribute to the risk of recurrence.
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