Bioimpedance application

Aleexev V.G and Kuznecova L.V. Bioimpedance application in Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SRI) treatment monitoring. Psychology Research and Behavior Management.
June 2011.Volume 2011.p.81-86
 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22114538

Abstract

Background:
Bioimpedance has been shown to be a safe technique when used in a number of biomedical applications. In this study, we use a device named Electro Interstitial Scan (EIS) performing bioimpedance measurements to follow up the effect of SSRI treatment in depressed subjects.

Method and material:
Fifty nine subjects (Age 47 from 17 to 76 years old and 38 women) diagnosed with major depression disorder by psychiatric assessment at the Botkin Hospital according to DSM-IV and CGI (Clinical Global Impression) were recorded with the EIS System before undergoing anti depressant SSRI treatment. Then, SSRI treatment follow-up was undertaken on one hand with the EIS bioimpedance measurements (electrical conductivity and dispersion α parameter) and on the other hand by treatment responses based on Hamilton Depression Scale (Ham-D) and CGI each 15 days during 60 days.
At day 45, 2 groups where constituted: group 1: group with treatment response and group 2: group with non treatment response. At day 60, 2 groups where constituted: group 3: group with treatment response and group 4: group with non treatment response

 Results:
Comparing the group 1 and  2 ,  electrical conductivity measurement of the pathway between the 2 disposable forehead electrodes has  a specificity of  72 % and a sensitivity of 85.3% (p< 0.0001) with a cutoff  > 4.32µSi . Comparing the group 3 and 4, electrical conductivity of the same pathway has specificity of 47.6 % and a sensitivity of 76.3% (p< 0.16) with a cutoff > 5.92µSi.
Comparing the group 1 and 2, electrical dispersion α parameter of the pathway between the 2 disposable forehead electrodes has a specificity of 80 % and a sensitivity of 85.2% (p< 0.0001) with a cutoff > 0.678. Comparing the group 3 and 4, electrical dispersion α parameter of the same pathway has specificity of 100 % and a sensitivity of 89.5% (p< 0.0001) with a cutoff > 0.692.

Conclusion:
The EIS electrical conductivity measurement of the forehead pathway has a high specificity and sensitivity at D+ 45 comparing the patients’ response group and non response group.  The specificity and sensitivity decrease at D+60.
The EIS electrical dispersion α parameter of the forehead pathway has a high specificity and sensitivity at D+ 45 comparing the patients’ response group and non response group. The specificity and sensitivity raise at D+60.The practitioners could therefore have available in the EIS System, a non-invasive, low-cost system that is easy to use in the office and that could offer major depression disorder treatment monitoring in adjunct to DSM-IV questionnaires and CGI .

Keywords:
Major depression disorder, SSRI treatment response, Bioimpedance, EIS (Electro Interstitial Scan) system, electrical conductivity, dispersion α parameter.