Apolipoprotein A1 (p = 0.012) and A2 (p = 0.035), HDL-apolipoprotein A1 (p = 0.024) and A2 (p = 0.047), HDL3-free cholesterol (p = 0.031), HDL3-apolipoprotein A1 (p = 0.025), HDL2-apolipoprotein A2 (p = 0.023), and HDL3-apolipoprotein A2 (p = 0.038) were significantly lower in male MDD participants at baseline who responded to escitalopram compared to the non-responders (Fig. 3b). This evidence concerns the gene APOA2 and major depressive disorder.