Clinical symptoms of major depression are associated with the intensity dependence of auditory event-related potential components

Linka, Thomas; Sartory, Gudrun; Gastpar, Markus; Scherbaum, Norbert; Müller, Bernhard W.

doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2008.06.009

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Volume 169, Issue 2 , Pages 139-143, 30 September 2009

Clinical symptoms of major depression are associated with the intensity dependence of auditory event-related potential components

Thomas Linka
- Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Rheinische Kliniken Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Postbus 5, 5800 AA Venray, The Netherlands
- Corresponding author. Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstrasse 174, 45147 Essen, Germany. Tel.: +49 201 7227 226; fax: +49 201 7227 303.
Gudrun Sartory
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Wuppertal, 42097 Wuppertal, Germany
Markus Gastpar
- Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Rheinische Kliniken Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
Norbert Scherbaum
- Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Rheinische Kliniken Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Clinic for Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Rheinische Kliniken Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
Bernhard W. Müller
- Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Rheinische Kliniken Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Clinic for Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Rheinische Kliniken Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany

Received 3 June 2007; received in revised form 1 January 2008; accepted 12 June 2008.

Abstract

The intensity (loudness) dependent amplitude change (IDAP) of the auditory event-related potential (ERP) has been shown to be associated with the outcome of treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in major depression. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate associations between clinical symptoms of major depression and the IDAP as an indirect indicator of cortical serotonergic function. We assessed 40 in-patients suffering from a major depressive episode (DSM-IV) prior to antidepressant treatment. Psychometric characteristics of depression were assessed by means of psychiatric rating scales (CGI, HDRS, HAMA, STAI and BDI) and evaluated for associations with auditory evoked P1, N1, P2 as well as P1/N1 and N1/P2 peak to peak amplitude slopes. Our data revealed a positive correlation of the intensity dependent N1 amplitude slope with the degree of certain somatic symptoms of depression: loss of appetite and weight, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction. The results of our study might contribute to a more specific clinical basis in the differential indication of serotonergic versus noradrenergic antidepressants.

Keywords: ERP, Major depression, N100, N1, IDAP, LDAEP, LD