Twenty-Four-Hour Heart Rate Is a Trait but Not State Marker for Depression in a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial With a Single Infusion of Ketamine

Bibliographic Data

ID15527632
AuthorsCarmen Schiweck (0000-0003-4215-0448, KU Leuven, corresponding author), Erika Lutin (0000-0002-9254-7374, IMEC), W De Raedt (0000-0002-7117-7976, IMEC), Olivia Cools (University of Antwerp), Violette Coppens (0000-0001-6247-551X, University of Antwerp), Manuel Morrens (0000-0003-4559-3666, University of Antwerp), Chris Van Hoof (0000-0002-4645-3326, IMEC), Elske Vrieze (0000-0001-7766-9245, KU Leuven), Stephan Claes (0000-0002-1175-492X, KU Leuven)
Year2021
Volume12
Pages696170-696170
Publication date2021-07-29
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640
PublisherFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2021.696170
PMID34393856
OpenAlexW3192796337
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited46

Background: Abnormalities of heart rate (HR) and its variability are characteristic of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, circadian rhythm is rarely taken into account when statistically exploring state or trait markers for depression. Methods: A 4-day electrocardiogram was recorded for 16 treatment-resistant patients with MDD and 16 age- and sex-matched controls before, and for the patient group only, after a single treatment with the rapid-acting antidepressant ketamine or placebo (clinical trial registration available on https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ with EUDRACT number 2016-001715-21). Circadian rhythm differences of HR and the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) were compared between groups and were explored for classification purposes. Baseline HR/RMSSD were tested as predictors for treatment response, and physiological measures were assessed as state markers. Results: Patients showed higher HR and lower RMSSD alongside marked reductions in HR amplitude and RMSSD variation throughout the day. Excellent classification accuracy was achieved using HR during the night, particularly between 2 and 3 a.m. (90.6%). A positive association between baseline HR and treatment response ( r = 0.55, p = 0.046) pointed toward better treatment outcome in patients with higher HR. Heart rate also decreased significantly following treatment but was not associated with improved mood after a single infusion of ketamine. Limitations: Our study had a limited sample size, and patients were treated with concomitant antidepressant medication. Conclusion: Patients with depression show a markedly reduced amplitude for HR and dysregulated RMSSD fluctuation. Higher HR and lower RMSSD in depression remain intact throughout a 24-h day, with the highest classification accuracy during the night. Baseline HR levels show potential for treatment response prediction but did not show potential as state markers in this study. Clinical trial registration: EUDRACT number 2016-001715-21

Anesthesia · Antidepressant · Blood pressure · Cardiology · Circadian rhythm · Depression (economics · Heart rate · Heart rate variability · Ketamine · Major depressive disorder · Mood · Placebo · Psychiatry · Randomized controlled trial · Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control · Medicine · Mental Health Research Topics · Treatment of Major Depression · Internal Medicine

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access