Does the Loudness Dependence of Auditory Evoked Potential Predict Response to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors?: A Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: Loudness of dependence of the auditory evoked potential (LDAEP) is an electroencephalogram-based measure that represents amplitude changes of auditory evoked potentials in primary auditory cortex. Several narrative reviews argued that pre-treatment LDAEP values predict responses to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This study aims to quantify the overall relationship between baseline LDAEP values and treatment response to SSRIs in patients with depression and generalized anxiety disorders, evidenced by clinical symptoms reductions, across multiple studies. METHODS: In our meta-analysis, seven articles with a total sample of 241 patients were included. RESULTS: Our results showed that stronger baseline LDAEP values predicted favorable response to SSRIs for depression and anxiety, with a moderate effect size. CONCLUSION: The current results support the idea that LDAEP is a promising biomarker for SSRIs treatment prediction in patients with depression and generalized anxiety disorder.