Journal of Depression and Anxiety
Open Access

Abstract

Plasma Levels of 3-Methoxy-4-Hydroxyphenylglycol and Relapse of Major Depressive Episode after Treatment with Milnacipran: One-Year Follow-Up Study

Reiji Yoshimura, Asuka Katsuki, Kiyokazu Atake, Hikaru Hori, Ryohei Igata, and Yuki Konishi

Objective: Plasma level of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), a major metabolite of noradrenaline, is a useful biological marker for major depressive disorder (MDD). In the present study, we followed up plasma MHPG levels in remitted patients with MDD after milnacipran treatment. Subjects and methods: Seventy-eight patients were diagnosed with MDD on the based on the DSM-IV-TR criteria. The severity of depression was evaluated using the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD17). Of the 78 patients, 29 had HAMD17 scores of 7 points or lower after 8 weeks of treatment with milnacipran These 29 patients were enrolled in the present study and followed up for one year. Their plasma MHPG levels were analyzed by highperformance liquid chromatography. Results: Of the 29 MDD subjects, 17 relapsed within the one-year follow-up period. At the beginning of the follow-up period, plasma MHPG levels were significantly lower in the relapsed subjects than in the non-relapsed subjects. Conclusion: Plasma MHPG level plays an important role in maintaining remission in MDD patients after treatment with milnacipran.