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West GL, Konishi K, MacDonald K, Ni A, Joober R, Bohbot VD. The BDNF val66met polymorphism is associated with decreased use of landmarks and decreased fMRI activity in the hippocampus during virtual navigation. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 54:6406-6421. [PMID: 34467592 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
People can navigate in a new environment using multiple strategies dependent on different memory systems. A series of studies have dissociated between hippocampus-dependent 'spatial' navigation and habit-based 'response' learning mediated by the caudate nucleus. The val66met polymorphism of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene leads to decreased secretion of BDNF in the brain, including the hippocampus. Here, we aim to investigate the role of the BDNF val66met polymorphism on virtual navigation behaviour and brain activity in healthy older adults. A total of 139 healthy older adult participants (mean age = 65.8 ± 4.4 years) were tested in this study. Blood samples were collected, and BDNF val66met genotyping was performed. Participants were divided into two genotype groups: val homozygotes and met carriers. Participants were tested on virtual dual-solution navigation tasks in which they could use either a hippocampus-dependent spatial strategy or a caudate nucleus-dependent response strategy to solve the task. A subset of the participants (n = 66) were then scanned in a 3T functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanner while engaging in another dual-solution navigation task. BDNF val/val individuals and met carriers did not differ in learning performance. However, the two BDNF groups differed in learning strategy. BDNF val/val individuals relied more on landmarks to remember target locations (i.e., increased use of flexible spatial learning), while met carriers relied more on sequences and patterns to remember target locations (i.e., increased use of inflexible response learning). Additionally, BDNF val/val individuals had more fMRI activity in the hippocampus compared with BDNF met carriers during performance on the navigation task. This is the first study to show in older adults that BDNF met carriers use alternate learning strategies from val/val individuals and to identify differential brain activation of this behavioural difference between the two groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greg L West
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kyoko Konishi
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Verdun, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kathleen MacDonald
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Verdun, Quebec, Canada
| | - Anjie Ni
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Verdun, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ridha Joober
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Verdun, Quebec, Canada
| | - Veronique D Bohbot
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Verdun, Quebec, Canada
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2
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Pujol N, Mané A, Bergé D, Mezquida G, Amoretti S, Pérez L, González-Pinto A, Barcones F, Cuesta MJ, Sánchez-Tomico G, Vieta E, Castro-Fornieles J, Bernardo M, Parellada M. Influence of BDNF and MTHFR polymorphisms on hippocampal volume in first-episode psychosis. Schizophr Res 2020; 223:345-352. [PMID: 32988741 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2020.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The BDNF and MTHFR genes are independently linked to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and its neuroimaging correlates. The aim of this study was to explore, for the first time, the individual and interactional effects of the Val66Met and C677T polymorphisms on hippocampal atrophy in first-episode psychosis (FEP). METHOD Multi-site case-control study based on clinical, genetic (rs 6265, rs 1801133) and structural magnetic resonance imaging data from 98 non-affective FEP patients and 117 matched healthy controls (HC). Hippocampal volume was estimated using FreeSurfer software and this volume was compared between diagnostic (FEP vs HC) and genotype (Val66Met, C677T) groups. The BDNF Val66Met x MTHFR C677T effect on hippocampal volume was further evaluated through stratified analyses. RESULTS After applying Bonferroni correction, diagnosis showed a significant effect for adjusted left and right hippocampal volume (FEP < HC). Stratified analyses showed that the interactive effect contributed to adjusted hippocampal size in both the HC (left and right hippocampus) and FEP groups (right hippocampus); among BDNF Met carriers, those with the CT-TT genotype exhibited decreased hippocampal volume compared to individuals with the homozygous normal CC genotype. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide preliminary evidence indicating that the Val66Met x C677T interaction may be a potential genetic risk factor for reduced hippocampal size in both healthy controls and in patients with FEP. Further research in independent samples including different ethnic groups is warranted to confirm this new finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Pujol
- Institute of Neuropsychiatry and Addiction of the Barcelona MAR Health Park, Barcelona, Spain; Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Anna Mané
- Institute of Neuropsychiatry and Addiction of the Barcelona MAR Health Park, Barcelona, Spain; Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain; Biomedical Research Networking Center for Mental Health Network (CIBERSAM), Spain
| | - Daniel Bergé
- Institute of Neuropsychiatry and Addiction of the Barcelona MAR Health Park, Barcelona, Spain; Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain; Biomedical Research Networking Center for Mental Health Network (CIBERSAM), Spain
| | - Gisela Mezquida
- Biomedical Research Networking Center for Mental Health Network (CIBERSAM), Spain; Barcelona Clinic Schizophrenia Unit, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Neuroscience Institute; August Pi I Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS); University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Amoretti
- Biomedical Research Networking Center for Mental Health Network (CIBERSAM), Spain; Barcelona Clinic Schizophrenia Unit, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Neuroscience Institute; August Pi I Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS); University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lucía Pérez
- Institute of Neuropsychiatry and Addiction of the Barcelona MAR Health Park, Barcelona, Spain; Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana González-Pinto
- Biomedical Research Networking Center for Mental Health Network (CIBERSAM), Spain; Servicio de Psiquiatría, Hospital Santiago, OSI Araba, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Fe Barcones
- Biomedical Research Networking Center for Mental Health Network (CIBERSAM), Spain; Department of Family Medicine, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Manuel J Cuesta
- Department of Psychiatry, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Georgina Sánchez-Tomico
- Institute of Neuropsychiatry and Addiction of the Barcelona MAR Health Park, Barcelona, Spain; Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Vieta
- Biomedical Research Networking Center for Mental Health Network (CIBERSAM), Spain; Bipolar Disorder Unit, Institute of Neurosciences, August Pi I Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josefina Castro-Fornieles
- Biomedical Research Networking Center for Mental Health Network (CIBERSAM), Spain; Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology Department, 2017SGR881, Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miquel Bernardo
- Biomedical Research Networking Center for Mental Health Network (CIBERSAM), Spain; Barcelona Clinic Schizophrenia Unit, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Neuroscience Institute; August Pi I Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS); University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mara Parellada
- Biomedical Research Networking Center for Mental Health Network (CIBERSAM), Spain; Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, IiSGM, Madrid, Spain
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3
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The BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism Modulates Resilience of Neurological Functioning to Brain Ageing and Dementia: A Narrative Review. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10040195. [PMID: 32218234 PMCID: PMC7226504 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10040195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) is an abundant and multi-function neurotrophin in the brain. It is released following neuronal activity and is believed to be particularly important in strengthening neural networks. A common variation in the BDNF gene, a valine to methionine substitution at codon 66 (Val66Met), has been linked to differential expression of BDNF associated with experience-dependent plasticity. The Met allele has been associated with reduced production of BDNF following neuronal stimulation, which suggests a potential role of this variation with respect to how the nervous system may respond to challenges, such as brain ageing and related neurodegenerative conditions (e.g., dementia and Alzheimer’s disease). The current review examines the potential of the BDNF Val66Met variation to modulate an individual’s susceptibility and trajectory through cognitive changes associated with ageing and dementia. On balance, research to date indicates that the BDNF Met allele at this codon is potentially associated with a detrimental influence on the level of cognitive functioning in older adults and may also impart increased risk of progression to dementia. Furthermore, recent studies also show that this genetic variation may modulate an individual’s response to interventions targeted at building cognitive resilience to conditions that cause dementia.
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Papenberg G, Karalija N, Salami A, Andersson M, Axelsson J, Riklund K, Lindenberger U, Nyberg L, Bäckman L. The Influence of Hippocampal Dopamine D2 Receptors on Episodic Memory Is Modulated by BDNF and KIBRA Polymorphisms. J Cogn Neurosci 2019; 31:1422-1429. [PMID: 31112471 DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_01429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Episodic memory is a polygenic trait influenced by different molecular mechanisms. We used PET and a candidate gene approach to investigate how individual differences at the molecular level translate into between-person differences in episodic memory performance of elderly persons. Specifically, we examined the interactive effects between hippocampal dopamine D2 receptor (D2DR) availability and candidate genes relevant for hippocampus-related memory functioning. We show that the positive effects of high D2DR availability in the hippocampus on episodic memory are confined to carriers of advantageous genotypes of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF, rs6265) and the kidney and brain expressed protein (KIBRA, rs17070145) polymorphisms. By contrast, these polymorphisms did not modulate the positive relationship between caudate D2DR availability and episodic memory.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alireza Salami
- Karolinska Institute and Stockholm University.,Umeå University
| | | | | | | | - Ulman Lindenberger
- Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin.,Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, Berlin and London
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Sidhu MK, Thompson PJ, Wandschneider B, Foulkes A, de Tisi J, Stretton J, Perona M, Thom M, Bonelli SB, Burdett J, Williams E, Duncan JS, Matarin M. The impact of brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism on cognition and functional brain networks in patients with intractable partial epilepsy. CNS Neurosci Ther 2018; 25:223-232. [PMID: 29952080 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Medial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) is the most common refractory focal epilepsy in adults. Around 30%-40% of patients have prominent memory impairment and experience significant postoperative memory and language decline after surgical treatment. BDNF Val66Met polymorphism has also been associated with cognition and variability in structural and functional hippocampal indices in healthy controls and some patient groups. AIMS We examined whether BDNF Val66Met variation was associated with cognitive impairment in mTLE. METHODS In this study, we investigated the association of Val66Met polymorphism with cognitive performance (n = 276), postoperative cognitive change (n = 126) and fMRI activation patterns during memory encoding and language paradigms in 2 groups of patients with mTLE (n = 37 and 34). RESULTS mTLE patients carrying the Met allele performed more poorly on memory tasks and showed reduced medial temporal lobe activation and reduced task-related deactivations within the default mode networks in both the fMRI memory and language tasks than Val/Val patients. CONCLUSIONS Although cognitive impairment in epilepsy is the result of a complex interaction of factors, our results suggest a role of genetic factors on cognitive impairment in mTLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meneka K Sidhu
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Epilepsy Society MRI Unit, Chesham Lane, Buckinghamshire, UK
| | - Pamela J Thompson
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Epilepsy Society MRI Unit, Chesham Lane, Buckinghamshire, UK
| | - Britta Wandschneider
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Alexandra Foulkes
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Jane de Tisi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Jason Stretton
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Epilepsy Society MRI Unit, Chesham Lane, Buckinghamshire, UK
| | - Marina Perona
- Department of Radiobiology (CAC), National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Maria Thom
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | | | - Jane Burdett
- Epilepsy Society MRI Unit, Chesham Lane, Buckinghamshire, UK
| | - Elaine Williams
- Epilepsy Society MRI Unit, Chesham Lane, Buckinghamshire, UK
| | - John S Duncan
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Epilepsy Society MRI Unit, Chesham Lane, Buckinghamshire, UK
| | - Mar Matarin
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
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Tajbakhsh A, Mokhtari-Zaer A, Rezaee M, Afzaljavan F, Rivandi M, Hassanian SM, Ferns GA, Pasdar A, Avan A. Therapeutic Potentials of BDNF/TrkB in Breast Cancer; Current Status and Perspectives. J Cell Biochem 2017; 118:2502-2515. [PMID: 28230291 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a potent neurotrophic factor that has been shown to stimulate breast cancer cell growth and metastasis via tyrosine kinase receptors TrkA, TrkB, and the p75NTR death receptor. The aberrant activation of BDNF/TrkB pathways can modulate several signaling pathways, including Akt/PI3K, Jak/STAT, NF-kB, UPAR/UPA, Wnt/β-catenin, and VEGF pathways as well as the ER receptor. Several microRNAs have been identified that are involved in the modulation of BDNF/TrkB pathways. These include miR-206, miR-204, MiR-200a/c, MiR-210, MiR-134, and MiR-191; and these may be of value as prognostic and predictive biomarkers for detecting patients at high risk of developing breast cancer. It has been also been demonstrated that a high expression of genes involved in the BDNF pathway in breast cancer is associated with poor clinical outcome and reduced survival of patients. Several approaches have been developed for targeting this pathway, for example TKr inhibitors (AZD6918, CEP-701) and RNA interference. The aim of the current review was to provide an overview of the role of BDNF/TrkB pathways in the pathogenesis of breast cancer and its value as a potential therapeutic target. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 2502-2515, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Tajbakhsh
- Department of Modern Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amin Mokhtari-Zaer
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Neurogenic Inflammation Research Centre and Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mehdi Rezaee
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Fahimeh Afzaljavan
- Department of Modern Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mehdi Rivandi
- Department of Modern Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Mahdi Hassanian
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Gordon A Ferns
- Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Division of Medical Education, Falmer, Brighton, UK
| | - Alireza Pasdar
- Department of Modern Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Division of Applied Medicine, Medical School, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK.,Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amir Avan
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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7
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Jasińska KK, Molfese PJ, Kornilov SA, Mencl WE, Frost SJ, Lee M, Pugh KR, Grigorenko EL, Landi N. The BDNF Val 66Met polymorphism is associated with structural neuroanatomical differences in young children. Behav Brain Res 2017; 328:48-56. [PMID: 28359883 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2016] [Revised: 02/05/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has been associated with individual differences in brain structure and function, and cognition. Research on BDNF's influence on brain and cognition has largely been limited to adults, and little is known about the association of this gene, and specifically the Val66Met polymorphism, with developing brain structure and emerging cognitive functions in children. We performed a targeted genetic association analysis on cortical thickness, surface area, and subcortical volume in 78 children (ages 6-10) who were Val homozygotes (homozygous Val/Val carriers) or Met carriers (Val/Met, Met/Met) for the Val66Met locus using Atlas-based brain segmentation. We observed greater cortical thickness for Val homozygotes in regions supporting declarative memory systems (anterior temporal pole/entorhinal cortex), consistent with adult findings. Met carriers had greater surface area in the prefrontal and parietal cortices and greater cortical thickness in lateral occipital/parietal cortex in contrast to prior adult findings that may relate to performance on cognitive tasks supported by these regions in Met carriers. Finally, we found larger right hippocampal volume in Met carriers, although inconsistent with adult findings (generally reports larger volumes for Val homozygotes), is consistent with a recent finding in children. Gene expression levels vary across different brain regions and across development and our findings highlight the need to consider this developmental change in explorations of BDNF-brain relationships. The impact of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on the structure of the developing brain therefore reflects regionally-specific developmental changes in BDNF expression and cortical maturation trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaja K Jasińska
- University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA; Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Peter J Molfese
- Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, CT, USA; University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Sergey A Kornilov
- Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, CT, USA; University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation; Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - W Einar Mencl
- Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | | | - Kenneth R Pugh
- Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, CT, USA; University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA; Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Elena L Grigorenko
- Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation; Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation; Moscow State University for Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Nicole Landi
- Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, CT, USA; University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA; Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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Narayanan V, Veeramuthu V, Ahmad-Annuar A, Ramli N, Waran V, Chinna K, Bondi MW, Delano-Wood L, Ganesan D. Missense Mutation of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Alters Neurocognitive Performance in Patients with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Longitudinal Study. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0158838. [PMID: 27438599 PMCID: PMC4954696 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The predictability of neurocognitive outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury is not straightforward. The extent and nature of recovery in patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) are usually heterogeneous and not substantially explained by the commonly known demographic and injury-related prognostic factors despite having sustained similar injuries or injury severity. Hence, this study evaluated the effects and association of the Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) missense mutations in relation to neurocognitive performance among patients with mTBI. 48 patients with mTBI were prospectively recruited and MRI scans of the brain were performed within an average 10.1 (SD 4.2) hours post trauma with assessment of their neuropsychological performance post full Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) recovery. Neurocognitive assessments were repeated again at 6 months follow-up. The paired t-test, Cohen's d effect size and repeated measure ANOVA were performed to delineate statistically significant differences between the groups [wildtype G allele (Val homozygotes) vs. minor A allele (Met carriers)] and their neuropsychological performance across the time point (T1 = baseline/ admission vs. T2 = 6th month follow-up). Minor A allele carriers in this study generally performed more poorly on neuropsychological testing in comparison wildtype G allele group at both time points. Significant mean differences were observed among the wildtype group in the domains of memory (M = -11.44, SD = 10.0, p = .01, d = 1.22), executive function (M = -11.56, SD = 11.7, p = .02, d = 1.05) and overall performance (M = -6.89 SD = 5.3, p = .00, d = 1.39), while the minor A allele carriers showed significant mean differences in the domains of attention (M = -11.0, SD = 13.1, p = .00, d = .86) and overall cognitive performance (M = -5.25, SD = 8.1, p = .01, d = .66).The minor A allele carriers in comparison to the wildtype G allele group, showed considerably lower scores at admission and remained impaired in most domains across the timepoints, although delayed signs of recovery were noted to be significant in the domains attention and overall cognition. In conclusion, the current study has demonstrated the role of the BDNF rs6265 Val66Met polymorphism in influencing specific neurocognitive outcomes in patients with mTBI. Findings were more detrimentally profound among Met allele carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vairavan Narayanan
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
- * E-mail: (VN); (VV)
| | - Vigneswaran Veeramuthu
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
- * E-mail: (VN); (VV)
| | - Azlina Ahmad-Annuar
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
| | - Norlisah Ramli
- University Malaya Research Imaging Centre, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
| | - Vicknes Waran
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
| | - Karuthan Chinna
- Julius Centre University Malaya, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mark William Bondi
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, United States of America
- University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Lisa Delano-Wood
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, United States of America
- University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Dharmendra Ganesan
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
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Kauppi K, Nilsson LG, Persson J, Nyberg L. Additive genetic effect of APOE and BDNF on hippocampus activity. Neuroimage 2013; 89:306-13. [PMID: 24321557 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.11.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2013] [Revised: 11/21/2013] [Accepted: 11/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Human memory is a highly heritable polygenic trait with complex inheritance patterns. To study the genetics of memory and memory-related diseases, hippocampal functioning has served as an intermediate phenotype. The importance of investigating gene-gene effects on complex phenotypes has been emphasized, but most imaging studies still focus on single polymorphisms. APOE ε4 and BDNF Met, two of the most studied gene variants for variability in memory performance and neuropsychiatric disorders, have both separately been related to poorer episodic memory and altered hippocampal functioning. Here, we investigated the combined effect of APOE and BDNF on hippocampal activation (N=151). No non-additive interaction effects were seen. Instead, the results revealed decreased activation in bilateral hippocampus and parahippocampus as a function of the number of APOE ε4 and BDNF Met alleles present (neither, one, or both). The combined effect was stronger than either of the individual effects, and both gene variables explained significant proportions of variance in BOLD signal change. Thus, there was an additive gene-gene effect of APOE and BDNF on medial temporal lobe (MTL) activation, showing that a larger proportion of variance in brain activation attributed to genetics can be explained by considering more than one gene variant. This effect might be relevant for the understanding of normal variability in memory function as well as memory-related disorders associated with APOE and BDNF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Kauppi
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology (Physiology), Umeå University, SE-90187, Umeå, Sweden; Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging (UFBI), Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Lars-Göran Nilsson
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; Stockholm Brain Institute, Sweden
| | - Jonas Persson
- Aging Research Center (ARC), Karolinska Institutet, Gävlegatan 16, SE-11330 Stockholm, Sweden; Stockholm University, Sweden
| | - Lars Nyberg
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology (Physiology), Umeå University, SE-90187, Umeå, Sweden; Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging (UFBI), Umeå, Sweden; Department of Radiation Sciences (Diagnostic Radiology), Umeå University, SE-90187 Umeå, Sweden
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10
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Effects of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and met allele load on declarative memory related neural networks. PLoS One 2013; 8:e74133. [PMID: 24244264 PMCID: PMC3823923 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2013] [Accepted: 07/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been suggested that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism modulates episodic memory performance via effects on hippocampal neural circuitry. However, fMRI studies have yielded inconsistent results in this respect. Moreover, very few studies have examined the effect of met allele load on activation of memory circuitry. In the present study, we carried out a comprehensive analysis of the effects of the BDNF polymorphism on brain responses during episodic memory encoding and retrieval, including an investigation of the effect of met allele load on memory related activation in the medial temporal lobe. In contrast to previous studies, we found no evidence for an effect of BDNF genotype or met load during episodic memory encoding. Met allele carriers showed increased activation during successful retrieval in right hippocampus but this was contrast-specific and unaffected by met allele load. These results suggest that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism does not, as previously claimed, exert an observable effect on neural systems underlying encoding of new information into episodic memory but may exert a subtle effect on the efficiency with which such information can be retrieved.
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