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Smit AJT, Wu GWY, Rampersaud R, Reus VI, Wolkowitz OM, Mellon SH. Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor, Val66Met polymorphism and open-label SSRI treatment response in Major Depressive Disorder. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 165:107045. [PMID: 38636352 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in the therapeutic action of antidepressants and possibly in the pathophysiology of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Clinical studies of peripheral blood levels of BDNF in MDD have provided conflicting results, and there are also conflicting reports regarding the predictive value of peripheral BDNF levels for antidepressant treatment response. The present study investigated the association between serum BDNF levels, the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism (rs6265), clinical characteristics and SSRI treatment response. METHODS This open-label clinical trial included 99 physically healthy, unmedicated MDD participants and 70 healthy controls. Following a baseline assessment, 53 of the MDD participants completed an eight-week, open-label course of SSRI antidepressant treatment. Serum BDNF levels and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HDRS) ratings were examined at baseline and after eight weeks of treatment. Antidepressant response was defined as a decrease in HDRS ratings of > 50% from baseline to the end-of-treatment. Finally, serum BDNF levels and SSRI treatment response were compared between MDD participants who were heterozygous or homozygous for the Met allele ("Met-carriers") and individuals homozygous for the Val allele. RESULTS Serum BDNF levels at baseline were significantly higher in the unmedicated MDD participants compared to healthy controls (15.90 ng/ml vs 13.75 ng/ml, t (167) = -2.041, p = 0.043). In a post-hoc analysis, this difference was seen in the female but not male participants (16.85 ng/ml vs 14.06 ng/ml, t (91) = -2.067, p = 0.042; 14.86 ng/ml vs 13.31 ng/ml, t (74) = -0.923, p = 0.359). Baseline serum BDNF levels were not associated with treatment responder status or with absolute change in depression ratings over the course of 8-week SSRI treatment (p = 0.599). In both Responders and Non-responders, no significant changes in serum BDNF levels were found over the 8-week period of SSRI-treatment (16.32 ng/ml vs 16.23 ng/ml, t (18) = 0.060, p = 0.953; 16.04 ng/ml vs 15.61 ng/ml, t (29) = 0.438, p = 0.665, respectively). Further, no differences were found in serum BDNF levels prior to treatment between MDD Met-carriers and MDD Val/Val homozygotes (15.32 ng/ml vs 16.36 ng/ml, t (85) = 0.747, p = 0.457), and no differences were found in post-treatment serum BDNF (F1,42= 0.031, p = 0.862). However, MDD Val/Val homozygotes showed significantly greater antidepressant responses at week 8 than did MDD Met-carriers (F1,46 = 4.366, p = 0.043). CONCLUSION Our results do not support sufficient reliability of using peripheral BDNF to characterize depression or to predict antidepressant response in clinical use. The role of sex in moderating BDNF differences in depression, and the role of BDNF gene polymorphisms in predicting antidepressant response, remain to be further investigated. We conclude that, while central nervous system BDNF is likely involved in antidepressant efficacy and in aspects of MDD pathophysiology, its reflection in serum BDNF levels is of limited diagnostic or prognostic utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna J T Smit
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Gwyneth W Y Wu
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ryan Rampersaud
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Victor I Reus
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Owen M Wolkowitz
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Synthia H Mellon
- Department of OB-GYN and Reproductive Sciences, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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Nikitina MA, Bragina EY, Nazarenko MS, Levchuk LA, Ivanova SA, Boiko AS, Gomboeva DE, Koroleva ES, Alifirova VM. [The relationship between the rs6265 polymorphism of the BDNF gene and the level of serum neurotrophic factor in patients with Parkinson's disease]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2024; 124:114-120. [PMID: 38261293 DOI: 10.17116/jnevro2024124011114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical features and the level of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in groups of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) differentiated by the genotypes of BDNF polymorphism (rs6265). MATERIAL AND METHODS The level of serum BDNF in the biomarkers' multiplex panel of neurodegenerative diseases (HNDG3MAG-36K) was assessed in 134 PD patients. Allele discrimination was carried out by real-time PCR using TaqMan probes for the analysis of BDNF rs6265 polymorphism in groups of patients and controls (n=192) matched for sex, age and ethnicity. RESULTS Comparing the distribution of rs6265 genotypes and alleles between groups of patients and controls no significant differences were found (p>0.05). Serum BDNF levels varied significantly by genotype (rs6265) among PD patients. Minimum mean serum BDNF level (320.1±164.6 pg/ml) was noted for individuals with the AA genotype, which significantly differs from the corresponding indicator among individuals with GA (2944.2±1590.6 pg/ml; p=0.0001) and GG genotypes (2949.4±1620.6 pg/ml; p=3.9×10-5). The concentration of BDNF significantly differed between patients with different forms of PD (p=0.0007) and increased as the stage of the disease progressed according to Hoehn and Yahr staging scale (p=1.0×10-6). CONCLUSION The BDNF rs6265 polymorphism was not associated with the development of PD in the studied population. The variability of the mean serum BDNF level was established depending on the genotype of the BDNF polymorphism in PD patients and a number of clinical features.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Nikitina
- Siberian State Medical University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - E Yu Bragina
- Research Institute of Medical Genetics - Tomsk NRMC, Tomsk, Russia
| | - M S Nazarenko
- Siberian State Medical University, Tomsk, Russia
- Research Institute of Medical Genetics - Tomsk NRMC, Tomsk, Russia
| | - L A Levchuk
- Mental Health Research Institute - Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - S A Ivanova
- Mental Health Research Institute - Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - A S Boiko
- Mental Health Research Institute - Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - D E Gomboeva
- Research Institute of Medical Genetics - Tomsk NRMC, Tomsk, Russia
| | - E S Koroleva
- Siberian State Medical University, Tomsk, Russia
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Bugge Kambestad O, Sirevåg K, Mrdalj J, Hovland A, Bruun Endal T, Andersson E, Sjøbø T, Haukenes Stavestrand S. Physical Exercise and Serum BDNF Levels: Accounting for the Val66Met Polymorphism in Older Adults. Cogn Behav Neurol 2023; 36:219-227. [PMID: 37404130 PMCID: PMC10683974 DOI: 10.1097/wnn.0000000000000349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, which can be measured in blood serum, has been found to increase with aerobic exercise. The link between BDNF level, physical exercise, and genetic status (Val66Met polymorphism) has not been well researched in older adults. OBJECTIVE To investigate the possible link between BDNF expression, acute aerobic exercise, and the Val66Met polymorphism in older adults. METHOD Twenty-three healthy older adults participated in one session of acute aerobic exercise. Their serum BDNF levels were measured both at baseline and post exercise. Saliva samples were collected to identify each individual's genetic status. RESULTS At baseline, the individuals' mean serum BDNF level was 16.03 ng/mL (Val66Val = 15.89 ng/mL; Val66Met = 16.34 ng/mL); post exercise, the individuals' mean serum BDNF level was 16.81 ng/mL (Val66Val = 16.14 ng/mL; Val66Met = 18.34 ng/mL). CONCLUSION One session of acute aerobic exercise significantly increased the individuals' mean serum BDNF level. Males had higher BDNF levels than females. There was a significant interaction between gender and BDNF expression post exercise and a significant between-group effect of gender. The Val66Met carriers had a more positive response to the acute aerobic exercise compared with the Val66Val carriers, although without a significant difference between the two groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oda Bugge Kambestad
- Solli District Psychiatric Centre, Nesttun, Norway
- Institute for Clinical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kristine Sirevåg
- Solli District Psychiatric Centre, Nesttun, Norway
- Institute for Clinical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jelena Mrdalj
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Anders Hovland
- Solli District Psychiatric Centre, Nesttun, Norway
- Institute for Clinical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Eva Andersson
- The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden
- Karolinska Institute, Department of Neuroscience, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Trond Sjøbø
- Solli District Psychiatric Centre, Nesttun, Norway
| | - Silje Haukenes Stavestrand
- Solli District Psychiatric Centre, Nesttun, Norway
- Institute for Clinical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Pavlova LE, Timina MF, Agumava AA, Panchenko AV. Genotyping of Macaque Population on the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Gene Polymorphism by Mismatch Amplification Mutation Assay (MAMA)-PCR. Bull Exp Biol Med 2023; 175:388-392. [PMID: 37566252 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-023-05873-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Human rs6265 (196G>A) polymorphism in the BDNF gene is associated with many clinically significant phenotypic manifestations. Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) has a functionally significant rs309950446 ( 136G>A) polymorphism. To determine this polymorphism in macaques, we used mismatch amplification mutation assay (MAMA)-PCR method with non-complementary nucleotide to the template chain at the 3rd position from the 3'-end of the allele-specific primers (mismatch primers), which allowed the best discrimination of the alleles. Genotyping of male rhesus monkeys (n=178) and cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) (n=90) was carried out. The A/A, G/G, and G/A genotypes were found in 16, 34, and 50% rhesus macaques, respectively. In the cynomolgus macaques, the mutant polymorphic allele was not detected. The study results allow considering rhesus macaques as a potential biological model for assessment of the gen-environment interaction of the BDNF gene polymorphism.
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Affiliation(s)
- L E Pavlova
- Research Institute of Medical Primatology, Sochi, Russia.
| | - M F Timina
- Research Institute of Medical Primatology, Sochi, Russia
| | - A A Agumava
- Research Institute of Medical Primatology, Sochi, Russia
| | - A V Panchenko
- Research Institute of Medical Primatology, Sochi, Russia
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姚 珂, 董 强, 叶 兰. [Recent research on the association between depressive disorder and gene polymorphisms in adolescents]. ZHONGGUO DANG DAI ER KE ZA ZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY PEDIATRICS 2023; 25:328-332. [PMID: 36946171 PMCID: PMC10032068 DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2208178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Biogenetics plays an important role in the pathogenesis of depressive disorder in adolescents. Various genetic polymorphism studies have updated the understanding of adolescent depressive disorder. However, due to the influence of gene-environment interaction and age of puberty, the influence of gene polymorphisms on adolescent depressive disorder is complicated to clarify. Investigating and clarifying the relationship between gene polymorphisms and adolescent depressive disorder will promote the research on the pathogenesis of this disorder and provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of this disorder. This article reviews the genetic polymorphisms related to adolescent depressive disorder.
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Thakkar B, Acevedo EO. BDNF as a biomarker for neuropathic pain: Consideration of mechanisms of action and associated measurement challenges. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e2903. [PMID: 36722793 PMCID: PMC10013954 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The primary objective of this paper is to (1) provide a summary of human studies that have used brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as a biomarker, (2) review animal studies that help to elucidate the mechanistic involvement of BDNF in the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain (NP), and (3) provide a critique of the existing measurement techniques to highlight the limitations of the methods utilized to quantify BDNF in different biofluids in the blood (i.e., serum and plasma) with the intention of presenting a case for the most reliable and valid technique. Lastly, this review also explores potential moderators that can influence the measurement of BDNF and provides recommendations to standardize its quantification to reduce the inconsistencies across studies. METHODS In this manuscript we examined the literature on BDNF, focusing on its role as a biomarker, its mechanism of action in NP, and critically analyzed its measurement in serum and plasma to identify factors that contribute to the discrepancy in results between plasma and serum BDNF values. RESULTS A large heterogenous literature was reviewed that detailed BDNF's utility as a potential biomarker in healthy volunteers, patients with chronic pain, and patients with neuropsychiatric disorders but demonstrated inconsistent findings. The literature provides insight into the mechanism of action of BDNF at different levels of the central nervous system using animal studies. We identified multiple factors that influence the measurement of BDNF in serum and plasma and based on current evidence, we recommend assessing serum BDNF levels to quantify peripheral BDNF as they are more stable and sensitive to changes than plasma BDNF. CONCLUSION Although mechanistic studies clearly explain the role of BDNF, results from human studies are inconsistent. More studies are needed to evaluate the methodological challenges in using serum BDNF as a biomarker in NP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhushan Thakkar
- Department of Physical Therapy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Edmund O Acevedo
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE A better understanding of the genetic, molecular and cellular mechanisms of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its association with neuroplasticity could play a pivotal role in finding future therapeutic targets for novel drugs in major depressive disorder (MDD). Because there are conflicting results regarding the exact role of BDNF polymorphisms in MDD still, we set out to systematically review the current evidence regarding BDNF-related mutations in MDD. METHODS We conducted a keyword-guided search of the PubMed and Embase databases, using 'BDNF' or 'brain-derived neurotrophic factor' and 'major depressive disorder' and 'single-nucleotide polymorphism'. We included all publications in line with our exclusion and inclusion criteria that focused on BDNF-related mutations in the context of MDD. RESULTS Our search yielded 427 records in total. After screening and application of our eligibility criteria, 71 studies were included in final analysis. According to present overall scientific data, there is a possibly major pathophysiological role for BDNF neurotrophic systems to play in MDD. However, on the one hand, the synthesis of evidence makes clear that likely no overall association of BDNF-related mutations with MDD exists. On the other hand, it can be appreciated that solidifying evidence emerged on specific significant sub-conditions and stratifications based on various demographic, clinico-phenotypical and neuromorphological variables. CONCLUSIONS Further research should elucidate specific BDNF-MDD associations based on demographic, clinico-phenotypical and neuromorphological variables. Furthermore, biomarker approaches, specifically combinatory ones, involving BDNF should be further investigated.
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Gliwińska A, Czubilińska-Łada J, Więckiewicz G, Świętochowska E, Badeński A, Dworak M, Szczepańska M. The Role of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Diagnosis and Treatment of Epilepsy, Depression, Schizophrenia, Anorexia Nervosa and Alzheimer's Disease as Highly Drug-Resistant Diseases: A Narrative Review. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13020163. [PMID: 36831706 PMCID: PMC9953867 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13020163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) belongs to the family of neurotrophins, which are growth factors with trophic effects on neurons. BDNF is the most widely distributed neurotrophin in the central nervous system (CNS) and is highly expressed in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus. Its distribution outside the CNS has also been demonstrated, but most studies have focused on its effects in neuropsychiatric disorders. Despite the advances in medicine in recent decades, neurological and psychiatric diseases are still characterized by high drug resistance. This review focuses on the use of BDNF in the developmental assessment, treatment monitoring, and pharmacotherapy of selected diseases, with a particular emphasis on epilepsy, depression, anorexia, obesity, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease. The limitations of using a molecule with such a wide distribution range and inconsistent method of determination are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Gliwińska
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-32-370-43-05; Fax: +48-32-370-42-92
| | - Justyna Czubilińska-Łada
- Department of Neonatal Intensive Care, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
| | - Gniewko Więckiewicz
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Świętochowska
- Department of Medical and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
| | - Andrzej Badeński
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
| | - Marta Dworak
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology with Dialysis Division for Children, Independent Public Clinical Hospital No. 1, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Maria Szczepańska
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
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Suriyaprom K, Pheungruang B, Pooudong S, Putpadungwipon P, Sirikulchayanonta C. Associations of Plasma BDNF and BDNF Gene Polymorphism with Cardiometabolic Parameters in Thai Children: A Pilot Study. J Nutr Metab 2023; 2023:9668626. [PMID: 37007871 PMCID: PMC10065857 DOI: 10.1155/2023/9668626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Childhood obesity is an important public health crisis worldwide. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been demonstrated to play a role in controlling energy homeostasis and cardiovascular regulation. Objectives To examine brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and anthropometric-cardiometabolic and hematological parameters in obese and nonobese children and to determine whether two BDNF gene polymorphisms (G196A and C270T) are linked to BDNF levels, obesity, and anthropometric-cardiometabolic and hematological parameters among Thai children. Methods This case-control study included an analysis of 469 Thai children: 279 healthy nonobese and 190 obese children. Anthropometric-cardiometabolic and hematological variables and BDNF levels were measured. Genotyping of BDNF G196A and C270T was performed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. Results Children in the obese group had significantly higher white blood cell counts and some cardiometabolic parameters. Although the difference in BDNF level between the nonobese and obese groups was not significant, BDNF level was significantly positively correlated with hematological and cardiometabolic parameters, including blood pressure, triglycerides, and triglycerides and the glucose index. The BDNF G196A polymorphism in children was only associated with decreased systolic blood pressure (p < 0.05), while the BDNF C270T polymorphism was found not to be related to BDNF levels, obesity, or other parameters after adjusting for potential covariates. Conclusions These findings in Thai children suggest that obesity is associated with increased cardiometabolic risk factors, but not with BDNF levels or the two BDNF polymorphisms studied, while the BDNF G196A polymorphism is a beneficial marker for controlling blood pressure among Thai children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanjana Suriyaprom
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Rangsit University, Paholyothin Road, Pathumthani 12000, Thailand
| | - Banchamaphon Pheungruang
- School of Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Public Health, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
| | - Somchai Pooudong
- Department of Tropical Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Rajvithi Road, Rajthevee, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Pumpath Putpadungwipon
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Rangsit University, Paholyothin Road, Pathumthani 12000, Thailand
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Williams JA, Burgess S, Suckling J, Lalousis PA, Batool F, Griffiths SL, Palmer E, Karwath A, Barsky A, Gkoutos GV, Wood S, Barnes NM, David AS, Donohoe G, Neill JC, Deakin B, Khandaker GM, Upthegrove R. Inflammation and Brain Structure in Schizophrenia and Other Neuropsychiatric Disorders: A Mendelian Randomization Study. JAMA Psychiatry 2022; 79:498-507. [PMID: 35353173 PMCID: PMC8968718 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.0407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Importance Previous in vitro and postmortem research suggests that inflammation may lead to structural brain changes via activation of microglia and/or astrocytic dysfunction in a range of neuropsychiatric disorders. Objective To investigate the relationship between inflammation and changes in brain structures in vivo and to explore a transcriptome-driven functional basis with relevance to mental illness. Design, Setting, and Participants This study used multistage linked analyses, including mendelian randomization (MR), gene expression correlation, and connectivity analyses. A total of 20 688 participants in the UK Biobank, which includes clinical, genomic, and neuroimaging data, and 6 postmortem brains from neurotypical individuals in the Allen Human Brain Atlas (AHBA), including RNA microarray data. Data were extracted in February 2021 and analyzed between March and October 2021. Exposures Genetic variants regulating levels and activity of circulating interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-2, IL-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were used as exposures in MR analyses. Main Outcomes and Measures Brain imaging measures, including gray matter volume (GMV) and cortical thickness (CT), were used as outcomes. Associations were considered significant at a multiple testing-corrected threshold of P < 1.1 × 10-4. Differential gene expression in AHBA data was modeled in brain regions mapped to areas significant in MR analyses; genes were tested for biological and disease overrepresentation in annotation databases and for connectivity in protein-protein interaction networks. Results Of 20 688 participants in the UK Biobank sample, 10 828 (52.3%) were female, and the mean (SD) age was 55.5 (7.5) years. In the UK Biobank sample, genetically predicted levels of IL-6 were associated with GMV in the middle temporal cortex (z score, 5.76; P = 8.39 × 10-9), inferior temporal (z score, 3.38; P = 7.20 × 10-5), fusiform (z score, 4.70; P = 2.60 × 10-7), and frontal (z score, -3.59; P = 3.30 × 10-5) cortex together with CT in the superior frontal region (z score, -5.11; P = 3.22 × 10-7). No significant associations were found for IL-1, IL-2, CRP, or BDNF after correction for multiple comparison. In the AHBA sample, 5 of 6 participants (83%) were male, and the mean (SD) age was 42.5 (13.4) years. Brain-wide coexpression analysis showed a highly interconnected network of genes preferentially expressed in the middle temporal gyrus (MTG), which further formed a highly connected protein-protein interaction network with IL-6 (enrichment test of expected vs observed network given the prevalence and degree of interactions in the STRING database: 43 nodes/30 edges observed vs 8 edges expected; mean node degree, 1.4; genome-wide significance, P = 4.54 × 10-9). MTG differentially expressed genes that were functionally enriched for biological processes in schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, and epilepsy. Conclusions and Relevance In this study, genetically determined IL-6 was associated with brain structure and potentially affects areas implicated in developmental neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- John A. Williams
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, Centre for Computational Biology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Institute for Translational Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Health Data Research UK (HRD), Midlands Site, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Burgess
- Medical Research Council Biostatistics Unit, Cambridge Institute of Public Health, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - John Suckling
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Paris Alexandros Lalousis
- Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Fatima Batool
- Medical Research Council Biostatistics Unit, Cambridge Institute of Public Health, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sian Lowri Griffiths
- Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Edward Palmer
- Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Andreas Karwath
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, Centre for Computational Biology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Institute for Translational Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Health Data Research UK (HRD), Midlands Site, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Andrey Barsky
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, Centre for Computational Biology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Institute for Translational Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Georgios V. Gkoutos
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, Centre for Computational Biology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Institute for Translational Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Health Data Research UK (HRD), Midlands Site, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Wood
- Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nicholas M. Barnes
- Institute for Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony S. David
- Institute of Mental Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gary Donohoe
- School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
- Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Joanna C. Neill
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Bill Deakin
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Golam M. Khandaker
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, Bristol, United Kingdom
- NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Upthegrove
- Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Early Intervention Service, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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11
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Harnish SM, Diedrichs VA, Bartlett CW. EARLY CONSIDERATIONS OF GENETICS IN APHASIA REHABILITATION: A NARRATIVE REVIEW. APHASIOLOGY 2022; 37:835-853. [PMID: 37346093 PMCID: PMC10281715 DOI: 10.1080/02687038.2022.2043234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Background Early investigations linking language and genetics were focused on the evolution of human communication in populations with developmental speech and language disorders. Recently, studies suggest that genes may also modulate recovery from post-stroke aphasia. Aims Our goal is to review current literature related to the influence of genetics on post-stroke recovery, and the implications for aphasia rehabilitation. We describe candidate genes implicated by empirical findings and address additional clinical considerations. Main Contribution We describe existing evidence and mechanisms supporting future investigations into how genetic factors may modulate aphasia recovery and propose that two candidate genes, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and apolipoprotein E (APOE), may be important considerations for future research assessing response to aphasia treatment. Evidence suggests that BDNF is important for learning, memory, and neuroplasticity. APOE influences cognitive functioning and memory in older individuals and has also been implicated in neural repair. Moreover, recent data suggest an interaction between specific alleles of the BDNF and APOE genes in influencing episodic memory. Conclusions Genetic influences on recovery from aphasia have been largely unexplored in the literature despite evidence that genetic factors influence behaviour and recovery from brain injury. As researchers continue to explore prognostic factors that may influence response to aphasia treatment, it is time for genetic factors to be considered as a source of variability. As the field moves in the direction of personalized medicine, eventually allied health professionals may utilize genetic profiles to inform treatment decisions and education for patients and care partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacy M Harnish
- Department of Speech and Hearing Science, The Ohio State University
| | | | - Christopher W Bartlett
- Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University
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12
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Kristinsson S, Fridriksson J. Genetics in aphasia recovery. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2022; 185:283-296. [PMID: 35078606 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-823384-9.00015-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Considerable research efforts have been exerted toward understanding the mechanisms underlying recovery in aphasia. However, predictive models of spontaneous and treatment-induced recovery remain imprecise. Some of the hitherto unexplained variability in recovery may be accounted for with genetic data. A few studies have examined the effects of the BDNF val66met polymorphism on aphasia recovery, yielding mixed results. Advances in the study of stroke genetics and genetics of stroke recovery, including identification of several susceptibility genes through candidate-gene or genome-wide association studies, may have implications for the recovery of language function. The current chapter discusses both the direct and indirect evidence for a genetic basis of aphasia recovery, the implications of recent findings within the field, and potential future directions to advance understanding of the genetics-recovery associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigfus Kristinsson
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Julius Fridriksson
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States.
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13
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Isayeva U, Manchia M, Collu R, Primavera D, Deriu L, Caboni E, Iaselli N, Sundas D, Tusconi M, Pinna F, Paribello P, Scherma M, Pisanu C, Meloni A, Zai CC, Congiu D, Squassina A, Fratta W, Fadda P, Carpiniello B. Exploring the association between brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and longitudinal psychopathological and cognitive changes in Sardinian psychotic patients. Eur Psychiatry 2022; 65:e71. [DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.2333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background and hypothesis
Schizophrenia spectrum disorders are among the most debilitating mental disorders and has complex pathophysiological underpinnings. There is growing evidence that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can play a role in its pathogenesis. The present study investigated the longitudinal variation of serum BDNF levels in a 24-month observational prospective cohort study of Sardinian psychotic patients and its relationship with psychopathological and cognitive changes. Furthermore, we examined whether genetic variation within the BDNF gene could moderate these relationships.
Study design
Every 6 months, 105 patients were assessed for their BDNF serum levels, as well as for a series of psychopathological, cognitive, and social measures. We performed a targeted analysis of four tag single nucleotide polymorphisms within the BDNF gene that were selected and analyzed using polymerase chain reaction. Longitudinal data were analyzed using mixed-effects linear regression models.
Study results
We observed a declining longitudinal trajectory of BDNF levels in psychotic patients in general, and in relation to the severity of depressive and negative symptoms. BDNF serum levels also declined in patients scoring lower in cognitive measures such as attention and speed of information processing and verbal fluency. The rs7934165 polymorphism moderated the significant association between verbal fluency and BDNF levels.
Conclusions
These findings in patients from real-world settings suggest a plausible role of peripheral BDNF levels as a marker of illness burden in schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
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14
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Su X, Qiao L, Liu Q, Shang Y, Guan X, Xiu M, Zhang X. Genetic polymorphisms of BDNF on cognitive functions in drug-naive first episode patients with schizophrenia. Sci Rep 2021; 11:20057. [PMID: 34625629 PMCID: PMC8501135 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99510-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is reported to be involved in cognitive decline in patients with schizophrenia (SZ). Previous studies have found that cognitive deficits remain stable during the chronic disease phase in SZ, but the findings were inconsistent. The role of BDNF in cognitive deficits at different stage of illness remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the effect of BDNF polymorphisms on cognitive deficits in drug-naïve first-episode (DNFE) patients and chronic patients with SZ. 262 DNFE patients, 844 chronic patients, and 1043 healthy controls were recruited to compare 4 polymorphisms in BDNF gene and cognitive function. We found that there was no significant difference in genotype and allele frequencies between SZ patients and controls. However, they were closely related to cognitive functioning. BDNF rs2030324 polymorphism played a strong role in language performance only in DNFE patients with SZ. The language index of DNFE patients with rs2030324 TT and TC genotypes was worse than that of chronic patients, but there was no significant difference in CC genotypes between DNFE and chronic patients. Rs6265 had no significant effect on cognitive functioning in patients and controls. Our result suggests BDNF gene polymorphisms were related to different domains of cognitive function at the different stage of SZ, especially language in DNFE patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuru Su
- Department of Psychiatry, Hebei Province Veterans Hospital, Baoding, People's Republic of China
| | - Limin Qiao
- Lian Yang Community Health Service Center, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Liu
- Qingdao Mental Health Center, Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Yujie Shang
- Department of Psychiatry, Hebei Province Veterans Hospital, Baoding, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoni Guan
- Peking University HuiLongGuan Clinical Medical School, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Changping District, Beijing, 100096, People's Republic of China
| | - Meihong Xiu
- Peking University HuiLongGuan Clinical Medical School, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Changping District, Beijing, 100096, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiangyang Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 16 Lincui Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, People's Republic of China.
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15
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Perry BI, Upthegrove R, Kappelmann N, Jones PB, Burgess S, Khandaker GM. Associations of immunological proteins/traits with schizophrenia, major depression and bipolar disorder: A bi-directional two-sample mendelian randomization study. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 97:176-185. [PMID: 34280516 PMCID: PMC7612947 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression are associated with inflammation. However, it is unclear whether associations of immunological proteins/traits with these disorders are likely to be causal, or could be explained by reverse causality/residual confounding. METHODS We used bi-directional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) and multi-variable MR (MVMR) analysis to examine evidence of causality, specificity and direction of association of 20 immunological proteins/traits (pro-inflammatory cytokines: interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-12, IL-16, IL-17, IL-18; anti-inflammatory cytokines: IL-1 receptor antagonist (RA), IL-10, IL-13; chemokines: IL-8, monocyte chemo-attractant protein-1 (MCP-1); lymphoid growth-factors: soluble (s) IL-2Rα, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9; myeloid growth-factor: IL-5; acute phase protein: C-Reactive Protein (CRP); immune cells: neutrophils, lymphocytes; neurotrophic factor: brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)) with schizophrenia, major depression and bipolar disorder. RESULTS Genetically-predicted IL-6 was associated with increased risk of schizophrenia in univariable MR (OR = 1.24; 95% C.I., 1.05-1.47) and with major depression in MVMR (OR = 1.08; 95% C.I., 1.03-1.12). These results survived Bonferroni-correction. Genetically-predicted sIL-2Rα (OR = 1.07; 95% C.I., 1.01-1.12) and IL-9 (OR = 1.06; 95% C.I., 1.01-1.11) were associated with increased schizophrenia risk. Genetically-predicted BDNF (OR = 0.97; 95% C.I., 0.94-1.00) and MCP-1 (OR = 0.96; 95% C.I., 0.91-0.99) were associated with reduced schizophrenia risk. However, these findings did not survive correction for multiple testing. The CRP-schizophrenia association attenuated completely after taking into account IL-6 and sIL-2Rα in MVMR (OR = 1.02; 95% C.I., 0.81-1.28). No significant associations were observed for bipolar disorder. Evidence from bidirectional MR did not support reverse causality. CONCLUSIONS We report evidence in support of potential causal associations of several immunological proteins/traits with schizophrenia, and of IL-6 with depression. Some of the findings did not survive correction for multiple testing and so replication in larger samples is required. Experimental studies are also required to further examine causality, mechanisms, and treatment potential for these immunological proteins/pathways for schizophrenia and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin I. Perry
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, England,Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, England
| | - Rachel Upthegrove
- Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England
| | - Nils Kappelmann
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany,International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS-TP), Munich, Germany
| | - Peter B. Jones
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, England,Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, England
| | - Stephen Burgess
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England
| | - Golam M. Khandaker
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, England,Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, England,MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, England,Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, England,Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, Bristol England
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16
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Are serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentrations related to brain structure and psychopathology in late childhood and early adolescence? CNS Spectr 2020; 25:790-796. [PMID: 31845634 DOI: 10.1017/s1092852919001688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Mental disorders can have a major impact on brain development. Peripheral blood concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are lower in adult psychiatric disorders. Serum BDNF concentrations and BDNF genotype have been associated with cortical maturation in children and adolescents. In 2 large independent samples, this study tests associations between serum BDNF concentrations, brain structure, and psychopathology, and the effects of BDNF genotype on BDNF serum concentrations in late childhood and early adolescence. METHODS Children and adolescents (7-14 years old) from 2 cities (n = 267 in Porto Alegre; n = 273 in São Paulo) were evaluated as part of the Brazilian high-risk cohort (HRC) study. Serum BDNF concentrations were quantified by sandwich ELISA. Genotyping was conducted from blood or saliva samples using the SNParray Infinium HumanCore Array BeadChip. Subcortical volumes and cortical thickness were quantified using FreeSurfer. The Development and Well-Being Behavior Assessment was used to identify the presence of a psychiatric disorder. RESULTS Serum BDNF concentrations were not associated with subcortical volumes or with cortical thickness. Serum BDNF concentration did not differ between participants with and without mental disorders, or between Val homozygotes and Met carriers. CONCLUSIONS No evidence was found to support serum BDNF concentrations as a useful marker of developmental differences in brain and behavior in early life. Negative findings were replicated in 2 of the largest independent samples investigated to date.
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17
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Guerra A, Asci F, Zampogna A, D'Onofrio V, Petrucci S, Ginevrino M, Berardelli A, Suppa A. Gamma-transcranial alternating current stimulation and theta-burst stimulation: inter-subject variability and the role of BDNF. Clin Neurophysiol 2020; 131:2691-2699. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2020.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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18
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Li S, Weinstein G, Zare H, Teumer A, Völker U, Friedrich N, Knol MJ, Satizabal CL, Petyuk VA, Adams HHH, Launer LJ, Bennett DA, De Jager PL, Grabe HJ, Ikram MA, Gudnason V, Yang Q, Seshadri S. The genetics of circulating BDNF: towards understanding the role of BDNF in brain structure and function in middle and old ages. Brain Commun 2020; 2:fcaa176. [PMID: 33345186 PMCID: PMC7734441 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaa176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in brain development and function. Substantial amounts of BDNF are present in peripheral blood, and may serve as biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease incidence as well as targets for intervention to reduce Alzheimer’s disease risk. With the exception of the genetic polymorphism in the BDNF gene, Val66Met, which has been extensively studied with regard to neurodegenerative diseases, the genetic variation that influences circulating BDNF levels is unknown. We aimed to explore the genetic determinants of circulating BDNF levels in order to clarify its mechanistic involvement in brain structure and function and Alzheimer’s disease pathophysiology in middle-aged and old adults. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis of genome-wide association study of circulating BDNF in 11 785 middle- and old-aged individuals of European ancestry from the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility-Reykjavik Study (AGES), the Framingham Heart Study (FHS), the Rotterdam Study and the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-Trend). Furthermore, we performed functional annotation analysis and related the genetic polymorphism influencing circulating BDNF to common Alzheimer’s disease pathologies from brain autopsies. Mendelian randomization was conducted to examine the possible causal role of circulating BDNF levels with various phenotypes including cognitive function, stroke, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, physical activity and diet patterns. Gene interaction networks analysis was also performed. The estimated heritability of BDNF levels was 30% (standard error = 0.0246, P-value = 4 × 10−48). We identified seven novel independent loci mapped near the BDNF gene and in BRD3, CSRNP1, KDELC2, RUNX1 (two single-nucleotide polymorphisms) and BDNF-AS. The expression of BDNF was associated with neurofibrillary tangles in brain tissues from the Religious Orders Study and Rush Memory and Aging Project (ROSMAP). Seven additional genes (ACAT1, ATM, NPAT, WDR48, TTC21A, SCN114 and COX7B) were identified through expression and protein quantitative trait loci analyses. Mendelian randomization analyses indicated a potential causal role of BDNF in cardioembolism. Lastly, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis placed circulating BDNF levels in four major networks. Our study provides novel insights into genes and molecular pathways associated with circulating BDNF levels and highlights the possible involvement of plaque instability as an underlying mechanism linking BDNF with brain neurodegeneration. These findings provide a foundation for a better understanding of BDNF regulation and function in the context of brain aging and neurodegenerative pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Li
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Galit Weinstein
- School of Public Health, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Habil Zare
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.,Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, 78229 TX, USA
| | - Alexander Teumer
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Uwe Völker
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald, Germany
| | - Nele Friedrich
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Germany
| | - Maria J Knol
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3000 CA, The Netherlands
| | - Claudia L Satizabal
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, 78229 TX, USA.,Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.,The Framingham Study, Framingham, MA 01702, USA.,Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | | | - Hieab H H Adams
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3000 CA, The Netherlands.,Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015 CN, The Netherlands
| | - Lenore J Launer
- Department of Health and Human Services, Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Department of Neurology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.,Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Philip L De Jager
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.,Program in Population and Medical Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA
| | - Hans J Grabe
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegererative Diseases (DZNE), Rostock/Greifswald, Germany
| | - M Arfan Ikram
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3000 CA, The Netherlands
| | - Vilmundur Gudnason
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.,Icelandic Heart Association, 201 Kopavogur, Iceland
| | - Qiong Yang
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sudha Seshadri
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, 78229 TX, USA.,The Framingham Study, Framingham, MA 01702, USA.,Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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19
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Sreter KB, Popovic-Grle S, Lampalo M, Konjevod M, Tudor L, Nikolac Perkovic M, Jukic I, Bingulac-Popovic J, Safic Stanic H, Markeljevic J, Pivac N, Svob Strac D. Plasma Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Concentration and BDNF/ TrkB Gene Polymorphisms in Croatian Adults with Asthma. J Pers Med 2020; 10:jpm10040189. [PMID: 33114368 PMCID: PMC7712770 DOI: 10.3390/jpm10040189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) receptor might contribute to normal lung functioning and immune responses; however, their role in asthma remains unclear. Plasma BDNF concentrations, as well as BDNF and NTRK2 (TrkB gene) polymorphisms, were investigated in 120 asthma patients and 120 healthy individuals using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The genotype and allele frequencies of BDNF Val66Met (rs6265) and NTRK2 rs1439050 polymorphisms did not differ between healthy individuals and asthma patients, nor between patients grouped according to severity or different asthma phenotypes. Although plasma BDNF concentrations were higher among healthy subjects carrying the BDNF Val66Met GG genotype compared to the A allele carriers, such differences were not detected in asthma patients, suggesting the influences of other factors. Plasma BDNF concentration was not affected by NTRK2 rs1439050 polymorphism. Asthma patients had higher plasma BDNF concentrations than control subjects; however, no differences were found between patients subdivided according to asthma severity, or Type-2, allergic, and eosinophilic asthma. Higher plasma BDNF levels were observed in asthma patients with aspirin sensitivity and aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease. These results suggest that plasma BDNF may serve as a potential peripheral biomarker for asthma, particularly asthma with aspirin sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherina B. Sreter
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Pulmonology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Centre “Sestre Milosrdnice”, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (K.B.S.); (J.M.)
| | - Sanja Popovic-Grle
- Clinic for Lung Diseases Jordanovac, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.P.-G.); (M.L.)
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marina Lampalo
- Clinic for Lung Diseases Jordanovac, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.P.-G.); (M.L.)
| | - Marcela Konjevod
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.K.); (L.T.); (M.N.P.); (N.P.)
| | - Lucija Tudor
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.K.); (L.T.); (M.N.P.); (N.P.)
| | - Matea Nikolac Perkovic
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.K.); (L.T.); (M.N.P.); (N.P.)
| | - Irena Jukic
- Croatian Institute of Transfusion Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (I.J.); (J.B.-P.); (H.S.S.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Jasna Bingulac-Popovic
- Croatian Institute of Transfusion Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (I.J.); (J.B.-P.); (H.S.S.)
| | - Hana Safic Stanic
- Croatian Institute of Transfusion Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (I.J.); (J.B.-P.); (H.S.S.)
| | - Jasenka Markeljevic
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Pulmonology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Centre “Sestre Milosrdnice”, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (K.B.S.); (J.M.)
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nela Pivac
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.K.); (L.T.); (M.N.P.); (N.P.)
| | - Dubravka Svob Strac
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.K.); (L.T.); (M.N.P.); (N.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +385-1-457-1365
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20
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Association of the Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Val66Met Polymorphism with Body Mass Index, Fasting Glucose Levels and Lipid Status in Adolescents. Balkan J Med Genet 2020; 23:77-82. [PMID: 32953413 PMCID: PMC7474215 DOI: 10.2478/bjmg-2020-0004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has an important role in energy balance. It suppresses food intake, reduces hepatic glucose production and converts white fat into brown fat in adipose tissue, leading to energy dissipation, lowered blood glucose and a lean phenotype. Studies have shown that the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) Val66Met within BDNF may be associated with obesity, insulin sensitivity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and dyslipidemia. The objective of the study was to investigate the association of the Val66Met polymorphism with body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose levels and lipid profile in Serbian adolescents. The study included 308 randomly selected healthy adolescents, 153 (49.68%) boys and 155 girls (50.32%), 15 years of age. Data including age, gender, height, weight, lipid profile and fasting glucose were recorded. Genotyping was performed by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. No association of this polymorphism was found with BMI and lipid profile. However, significant association was observed between this polymorphism and fasting blood glucose (FBG). Carriers of a Val/Val genotype had significantly higher mean values of fasting glucose level compared to carriers of Val/ Met and Met/Met genotypes (p = 0.01). To confirm these results multiple linear regression analysis was performed. Body mass index and gender were taken as covariates. Carriers of the Val/Val genotype had significantly higher levels of FBG (β = -0.152, p = 0.02). A statistically significant association between BMI and glucose level was also observed (β = 0.124,p = 0.033). This polymorphism could be associated with fasting glucose level in Serbian adolescents, thus further research would be of great interest to validate these results.
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21
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Sustar A, Perkovic MN, Erjavec GN, Strac DS, Pivac N. Association between reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentration & coronary heart disease. Indian J Med Res 2020; 150:43-49. [PMID: 31571628 PMCID: PMC6798606 DOI: 10.4103/ijmr.ijmr_1566_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background & objectives: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) facilitates neuronal survival, differentiation and synaptic connectivity and affects neurotransmission throughout the brain. However, it has also a modulatory role in energy homeostasis, obesity and cardiovascular function. Obesity, high body mass index (BMI) and dyslipidaemia, among other factors, contribute to coronary heart disease (CHD) development. The exact role of BDNF in development of CHD is not well defined. This study was aimed to evaluate if plasma BDNF concentration was associated with CHD in ethnically homogeneous groups of patients and to correlate plasma BDNF levels with known risk factors for CHD. Methods: Plasma BDNF concentration, BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and other biological and anthropological risk factors for CHD were determined in 208 patients with CHD and 156 healthy controls. Results: Plasma BDNF concentration was significantly (P<0.01) reduced in patients with CHD compared to controls, and it was not influenced by gender, age, smoking or BDNF Val66Met polymorphism. It was considerably correlated with cholesterol (P=0.004), low-density lipoprotein (P=0.006), and diastolic blood pressure (P=0.018) in patients with CHD and with platelet number (P=0.003) in healthy controls. Interpretation & conclusions: The results revealed lower plasma BDNF concentration in patients with CHD, suggesting that decreased plasma BDNF concentration might be associated with CHD pathogenesis. Longitudinal studies with a large sample need to be conducted to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Sustar
- Department of Cardiology, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | | | | | | | - Nela Pivac
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
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22
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Losenkov IS, Mulder NJV, Levchuk LA, Vyalova NM, Loonen AJM, Bosker FJ, Simutkin GG, Boiko AS, Bokhan NA, Wilffert B, Hak E, Schmidt AF, Ivanova SA. Association Between BDNF Gene Variant Rs6265 and the Severity of Depression in Antidepressant Treatment-Free Depressed Patients. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:38. [PMID: 32116853 PMCID: PMC7028755 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in neuronal plasticity, and its dysregulation has been associated with the pathogenesis of mood and anxiety disorders. Prolactin (PRL) is a pituitary hormone which is also produced as a cytokine by immune cells and could be a neurotrophic factor regulating the functional activity of stress-related mechanisms. AIM To investigate the possible relationship between depressive state and BDNF and PRL genotypes or levels with special reference to severity of depression. METHODS Participants of 18-70 years with a clinical diagnosis of depressive disorder of at least moderate severity were included. These patients had not been treated with antidepressant drugs before admission to hospital during the preceding period of the last 6 months, and 54.5% had never been treated with antidepressant drugs during their entire life. The DNA was genotyped for rs1341239 within the prolactin and for rs6265, rs7124442, and rs11030104 within the BDNF gene. Rs11030104 violated the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium distribution and was excluded from further analyses. BDNF and prolactin concentration was measured in serum by MAGPIX multiplex analyzer (Luminex, USA) using MILLIPLEX® MAP kit (Merck, Germany). Genetic associations were determined by sequentially regressing prolactin, BDNF, 17-items Hamilton's Depression (HAMD-17) and Clinical Global Impression scale, Severity (CGI-S) ratings, and depression (absent/present) on the available SNPs. Genetic associations were evaluated assuming an additive model. RESULTS A total of 186 depressed patients (of which 169 were women) and 94 healthy controls (67 women) were genotyped. After excluding subjects without genetic information on all three study SNPs, 217 remained of whom 138 suffered from depression. Within depressed patients we observed an association of rs6265 with HAMD-17: mean difference (MD) 2.33 (95%CI 0.49; 4.16; p = 0.014) and CGI-S: MD 0.38 (95%CI 0.09; 0.66; p = 0.011). No significant association was observed between the prolactin SNP rs1341239 and prolactin levels. Similarly the mean differences of BDNF SNPs did not show an association with BDNF: rs6265 -0.042 ln(pg/ml) (95%CI -0.198; 0.113), and rs7124442 0.006 ln(pg/ml) (95%CI -0.117; 0.130). No other association reached statistical significance. CONCLUSION We observed a significant association between BDNF gene variant rs6265 and the severity of depression in newly admitted, antidepressant treatment-free, depressed patients. Actual PRL and BDNF levels were not elevated sufficiently in depressed patients to reach statistical significance and were not associated with the studied genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Innokentiy S Losenkov
- Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Nathaniël J V Mulder
- Unit of PharmacoTherapy, -Epidemiology & -Economics, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Lyudmila A Levchuk
- Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Natalya M Vyalova
- Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Anton J M Loonen
- Unit of PharmacoTherapy, -Epidemiology & -Economics, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.,Policy Office for Quality and Innovation of Care (BZI), GGZ Westelijk Noord-Brabant, Halsteren, Netherlands
| | - Fokko J Bosker
- University Centre for Psychiatry, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - German G Simutkin
- Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Anastasiia S Boiko
- Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Nikolay A Bokhan
- Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia.,Department of Psychotherapy and Psychological Counseling, National Research Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia.,Department of Psychiatry, Addictology and Psychotherapy, Siberian State Medical University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Bob Wilffert
- Unit of PharmacoTherapy, -Epidemiology & -Economics, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Eelko Hak
- Unit of PharmacoTherapy, -Epidemiology & -Economics, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Amand F Schmidt
- Unit of PharmacoTherapy, -Epidemiology & -Economics, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Svetlana A Ivanova
- Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia.,Department of Psychiatry, Addictology and Psychotherapy, Siberian State Medical University, Tomsk, Russia.,Division for Control and Diagnostics, School of Non-Destructive Testing & Security, National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, Russia
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23
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Math N, Han TS, Lubomirova I, Hill R, Bentley P, Sharma P. Influences of genetic variants on stroke recovery: a meta-analysis of the 31,895 cases. Neurol Sci 2019; 40:2437-2445. [PMID: 31359356 PMCID: PMC6848040 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-019-04024-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background The influences of genetic variants on functional clinical outcomes following stroke are unclear. In order to reliably quantify these influences, we undertook a comprehensive meta-analysis of outcomes after acute intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) or ischaemic stroke (AIS) in relation to different genetic variants. Methods PubMed, PsycInfo, Embase and Medline electronic databases were searched up to January 2019. Outcomes, defined as favourable or poor, were assessed by validated scales (Barthel index, modified Rankin scale, Glasgow outcome scale and National Institutes of Health stroke scale). Results Ninety-two publications comprising 31,895 cases met our inclusion criteria. Poor outcome was observed in patients with ICH who possessed the APOE4 allele: OR =2.60 (95% CI = 1.25–5.41, p = 0.01) and in AIS patients with the GA or AA variant at the BDNF-196 locus: OR = 2.60 (95% CI = 1.25–5.41, p = 0.01) or a loss of function allele of CYP2C19: OR = 2.36 (95% CI = 1.56–3.55, p < 0.0001). Poor outcome was not associated with APOE4: OR = 1.02 (95% CI = 0.81–1.27, p = 0.90) or IL6-174 G/C: OR = 2.21 (95% CI = 0.55–8.86, p = 0.26) in patients with AIS. Conclusions We demonstrate that recovery of AIS was unfavourably associated with variants of BDNF and CYP2C19 genes whilst recovery of ICH was unfavourably associated with APOE4 gene. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s10072-019-04024-w) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Math
- Department of Neuroscience, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Thang S Han
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK.
- Department of Endocrinology, Ashford & St Peter's NHS Foundation Trust, Chertsey, England.
| | - Irina Lubomirova
- Department of Neuroscience, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Robert Hill
- Department of Neuroscience, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Paul Bentley
- Department of Neuroscience, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, W2 1NY, UK
| | - Pankaj Sharma
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK.
- Department of Endocrinology, Ashford & St Peter's NHS Foundation Trust, Chertsey, England.
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, W2 1NY, UK.
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24
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Jabbi M, Nemeroff CB. Convergent neurobiological predictors of mood and anxiety symptoms and treatment response. Expert Rev Neurother 2019; 19:587-597. [PMID: 31096806 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2019.1620604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Mood and anxiety disorders are leading contributors to the global burden of diseases. Comorbid mood and anxiety disorders have a lifetime prevalence of ~20% globally and increases the risk for suicide, a leading cause of death. Areas covered: In this review, authors highlight recent advances in the understanding of multilevel-neurobiological mechanisms for normal/pathological human affective-functioning. The authors then address the complex interplay between environmental-adversity and molecular-genetic mediators of brain correlates of affective-symptoms. The molecular focus is strategically limited to GTF2i, BDNF, and FKBP5 genes that are, respectively, involved in transcriptional-, neurodevelopmental- and neuroendocrine-pathway mediation of affective-functions. The importance of these genes is illustrated with studies of copy-number-variants, genome-wide association (GWAS), and candidate gene-sequence variant associations with disease etiology. Authors concluded by highlighting the predictive values of integrative neurobiological processing of gene-environment interactions for affective disorder symptom management. Expert opinion: Given the transcriptional, neurodevelopmental and neuroimmune relevance of GTF2i, BDNF, and FKBP5 genes, respectively, authors reviewed the putative roles of these genes in neurobiological mediation of adaptive affective-responses. Authors discussed the importance of studying gene-dosage effects in understanding affective disorder risk biology, and how such targeted neurogenetic studies could guide precision identification of novel pharmacotherapeutic targets and aid in prediction of treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mbemba Jabbi
- a Department of Psychiatry , Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin , Austin , TX , USA.,b Mulva Neuroscience Institute, Dell Medical School , University of Texas at Austin , Austin , TX , USA.,c Institute of Neuroscience , University of Texas at Austin , Austin , TX , USA.,d Department of Psychology , University of Texas at Austin , Austin , TX , USA
| | - Charles B Nemeroff
- a Department of Psychiatry , Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin , Austin , TX , USA.,b Mulva Neuroscience Institute, Dell Medical School , University of Texas at Austin , Austin , TX , USA.,e Institute for Early Life Adversity , Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin , Austin , TX , USA
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25
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Zhang L, Hu XZ, Benedek DM, Fullerton CS, Forsten RD, Naifeh JA, Li X. Genetic predictor of current suicidal ideation in US service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. J Psychiatr Res 2019; 113:65-71. [PMID: 30904785 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Suicide is one of the ten leading causes of death in United States and the suicide rate in the military population has increased since the start of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. However, few biomarkers for current suicidal ideation (CSI) have been identified. The current study examined the association of four candidate genes with CSI in active duty US Army Special Operations Command and National Guard units (n = 3,889) who served in Iraq and Afghanistan between November 2009 and July 2014. METHODS Current PTSD symptoms and CSI were assessed using the PTSD Checklist (PCL) and PHQ-9, respectively. Traumatic events were assessed using items from the Life Events Checklist (LEC) that met the DSM-IV PTSD criteria of a traumatic stressor. All genotypes of saliva DNA were discriminated using the TaqMan 5'-exonuclease assay. RESULTS The associations between CSI and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), FK506 binding protein (FKBP5), catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), or S100A10 (p11) were examined. We found CSI was associated with BDNF (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.5-1.8, P = 0.0002), but not FKBP5, COMT and p11. Female soldiers reported CSI more often than males (χ2 = 7.403, p = 0.0065), although gender did not affect CSI severity. In addition, associations were found between CSI and depression, PTSD, and BDNF, but not traumatic events. The BDNF Val66Met contributed to the severity of CSI even after adjusting to PTSD, depression and LEC. CONCLUSIONS The associations of BDNF with CSI and its severity suggest that BDNF may be a predictor of suicidal risk and present an opportunity to develop laboratory tools with clinical implications in suicide prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, USA.
| | - Xian-Zhang Hu
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, USA
| | - David M Benedek
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, USA
| | - Carol S Fullerton
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, USA
| | - Robert D Forsten
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, USA
| | - James A Naifeh
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, USA
| | - Xiaoxia Li
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, USA
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- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, USA
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Elhawary NA, Tayeb MT, Sindi IA, Qutub N, Rashad M, Mufti A, Arab AH, Khogeer A, Elhawary EN, Dannoun A, Bogari N. Genetic biomarkers predict susceptibility to autism spectrum disorder through interactive models of inheritance in a Saudi community. COGENT BIOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/23312025.2019.1606555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nasser A. Elhawary
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca 21955, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Medical Genetics Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Mohammed T. Tayeb
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Medical Genetics Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Ikhlas A. Sindi
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nermeen Qutub
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mona Rashad
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Ahmad Mufti
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Medical Genetics Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Arwa H. Arab
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Asim Khogeer
- Department of Plan and Research, General Directorate of Health Affairs, Mecca Region, Ministry of Health, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ezzeldin N. Elhawary
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Modern Sciences and Arts University, 6th October City, Giza, Egypt
| | - Anas Dannoun
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Medical Genetics Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Neda Bogari
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Medical Genetics Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt
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Siokas V, Aloizou AM, Tsouris Z, Michalopoulou A, Mentis AFA, Dardiotis E. Risk Factor Genes in Patients with Dystonia: A Comprehensive Review. TREMOR AND OTHER HYPERKINETIC MOVEMENTS (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2019; 8:559. [PMID: 30643666 PMCID: PMC6329780 DOI: 10.7916/d8h438gs] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Background Dystonia is a movement disorder with high heterogeneity regarding phenotypic appearance and etiology that occurs in both sporadic and familial forms. The etiology of the disease remains unknown. However, there is increasing evidence suggesting that a small number of gene alterations may lead to dystonia. Although pathogenic variants to the familial type of dystonia have been extensively reviewed and discussed, relatively little is known about the contribution of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to dystonia. This review focuses on the potential role of SNPs and other variants in dystonia susceptibility. Methods We searched the PubMed database for peer-reviewed articles published in English, from its inception through January 2018, that concerned human studies of dystonia and genetic variants. The following search terms were included: “dystonia” in combination with the following terms: 1) “polymorphisms” and 2) “SNPs” as free words. Results A total of 43 published studies regarding TOR1A, BDNF, DRD5, APOE, ARSG, NALC, OR4X2, COL4A1, TH, DDC, DBH, MAO, COMT, DAT, GCH1, PRKRA, MR-1, SGCE, ATP1A3, TAF1, THAP1, GNAL, DRD2, HLA-DRB, CBS, MTHFR, and MS genes, were included in the current review. Discussion To date, a few variants, which are possibly involved in several molecular pathways, have been related to dystonia. Large cohort studies are needed to determine robust associations between variants and dystonia with adjustment for other potential cofounders, in order to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms of dystonia and the net effect of the genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios Siokas
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, GR
| | - Athina-Maria Aloizou
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, GR
| | - Zisis Tsouris
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, GR
| | - Amalia Michalopoulou
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, GR
| | - Alexios-Fotios A Mentis
- Department of Microbiology, University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, GR.,Public Health Laboratories, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, GR
| | - Efthimios Dardiotis
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, GR
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28
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Caldieraro MA, McKee M, Leistner-Segal S, Vares EA, Kubaski F, Spanemberg L, Brusius-Facchin AC, Fleck MP, Mischoulon D. Val66Met polymorphism association with serum BDNF and inflammatory biomarkers in major depression. World J Biol Psychiatry 2018; 19:402-409. [PMID: 28656803 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2017.1347713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Current evidence supports participation of neurotrophic and inflammatory factors in the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder (MDD). Some studies reported an association between the Val66Met polymorphism (rs6265) of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene with MDD and peripheral BDNF levels. However, no previous studies have examined the association of this polymorphism with inflammation. The present study assessed the association of the Val66Met polymorphism with serum levels of BDNF and inflammatory markers among depressed outpatients. METHODS All participants (n = 73) met DSM-IV criteria for a unipolar depressive episode. The serum levels of BDNF and inflammatory biomarkers (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and IFN-γ) were compared between individuals presenting with at least one Met allele (Met-carriers) and those homozygous for the Val allele. RESULTS In our sample (84.9% female, mean age 52.4 ± 10.3 years), 24.7% (n = 18) were Met-carriers. After Bonferroni correction, the Met allele was significantly associated with higher BDNF and lower TNF-α. These associations persisted after adjusting for potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS The pattern of low BDNF and high inflammation in MDD may be influenced by the Val66Met polymorphism. The association of a polymorphism in the BDNF gene with inflammatory markers in addition to BDNF levels suggests an interaction between these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Antonio Caldieraro
- a Department of Psychiatry , Massachusetts General Hospital , Boston , MA , USA.,b Department of Psychiatry , Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre , Porto Alegre , Brasil
| | - Madison McKee
- c Depression Clinical and Research Program , Massachusetts General Hospital , Boston , MA , USA
| | - Sandra Leistner-Segal
- d Medical Genetics Service, Molecular Genetics Laboratory , Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre , Porto Alegre , Brasil.,e Experimental Research Center , B.R.A.I.N. Laboratory, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre , Porto Alegre , Brasil
| | - Edgar Arrua Vares
- f Programa de Pós-Graduação Ciências Médicas: Psiquiatria, Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine , Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) , Porto Alegre , Brasil
| | - Francyne Kubaski
- g Department of Research , Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children , Wilmington , DE , USA.,h Department of Biological Sciences , University of Delaware , Newark , DE , USA.,i Department of Research , Instituto Nacional de Genética Médica Populacional-INAGEMP , Porto Alegre , Brasil
| | - Lucas Spanemberg
- f Programa de Pós-Graduação Ciências Médicas: Psiquiatria, Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine , Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) , Porto Alegre , Brasil.,j Department of Psychiatry , Núcleo de Formação Específica em Psiquiatria da Escola de Medicina da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre , Brasil
| | - Ana Carolina Brusius-Facchin
- d Medical Genetics Service, Molecular Genetics Laboratory , Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre , Porto Alegre , Brasil
| | - Marcelo P Fleck
- b Department of Psychiatry , Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre , Porto Alegre , Brasil.,f Programa de Pós-Graduação Ciências Médicas: Psiquiatria, Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine , Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) , Porto Alegre , Brasil
| | - David Mischoulon
- c Depression Clinical and Research Program , Massachusetts General Hospital , Boston , MA , USA.,k Department of Psychiatry , Harvard Medical School , Boston , MA , USA
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Kim KM, Choi SW, Lee J, Kim JW. EEG correlates associated with the severity of gambling disorder and serum BDNF levels in patients with gambling disorder. J Behav Addict 2018; 7:331-338. [PMID: 29865867 PMCID: PMC6174577 DOI: 10.1556/2006.7.2018.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and aims This study aimed to evaluate the association between the severity of pathological gambling, serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level, and the characteristics of quantitative electroencephalography (EEG) in patients with gambling disorder. Methods A total of 55 male patients aged 18-65 with gambling disorder participated. The severity of pathological gambling was assessed with the nine-item Problem Gambling Severity Index from the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI-PGSI). The Beck Depression Inventory and Lubben Social Network Scale were also assessed. Serum BDNF levels were assessed from blood samples. The resting-state EEG was recorded while the eyes were closed, and the absolute power of five frequency bands was analyzed: delta (1-4 Hz), theta (4-8 Hz), alpha (8-12 Hz), beta (12-30 Hz), and gamma (30-50 Hz). Results Serum BDNF level was positively correlated with theta power in the right parietal region (P4, r = .403, p = .011), beta power in the right parietal region (P4, r = .456, p = .010), and beta power in the right temporal region (T8, r = .421, p = .008). Gambling severity (CPGI-PGSI) was positively correlated with absolute beta power in the left frontal region (F7, r = .284, p = .043) and central region [(C3, r = .292, p = .038), (C4, r = .304, p = .030)]. Conclusions These findings support the hypothesis that right-dominant lateralized correlations between BDNF and beta and theta power reflect right-dominant brain activation in addiction. The positive correlations between beta power and the severity of gambling disorder may be associated with hyperexcitability and increased cravings. These findings contribute to a better understanding of brain-based electrophysiological changes and BDNF levels in patients with pathological gambling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung Min Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Dankook University Hospital, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Sam-Wook Choi
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea Institute on Behavioral Addictions, True Mind Mental Health Clinic, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaewon Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea Institute on Neuromodulation, Easybrain Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea,Corresponding authors: Jaewon Lee, MD, PhD; Department of Psychiatry, Korea Institute on Neuromodulation, EasyBrain Center, 1330-9 Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Phone: +82 2 583 9081; Fax: +82 2 583 9082; E-mail: ; Jun Won Kim, MD, PhD; Department of Psychiatry, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, 33 Duryugongwon-ro 17-gil, Nam-Gu, Daegu 42472, Republic of Korea; Phone: +82 53 650 4332; Fax: +82 53 623 1694; E-mail:
| | - Jun Won Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, Daegu, Republic of Korea,Corresponding authors: Jaewon Lee, MD, PhD; Department of Psychiatry, Korea Institute on Neuromodulation, EasyBrain Center, 1330-9 Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Phone: +82 2 583 9081; Fax: +82 2 583 9082; E-mail: ; Jun Won Kim, MD, PhD; Department of Psychiatry, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, 33 Duryugongwon-ro 17-gil, Nam-Gu, Daegu 42472, Republic of Korea; Phone: +82 53 650 4332; Fax: +82 53 623 1694; E-mail:
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Tsai SJ. Critical Issues in BDNF Val66Met Genetic Studies of Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:156. [PMID: 29867348 PMCID: PMC5962780 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophins have been implicated in the pathophysiology of many neuropsychiatric diseases. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is the most abundant and widely distributed neurotrophin in the brain. Its Val66Met polymorphism (refSNP Cluster Report: rs6265) is a common and functional single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) affecting the activity-dependent release of BDNF. BDNF Val66Met transgenic mice have been generated, which may provide further insight into the functional impact of this polymorphism in the brain. Considering the important role of BDNF in brain function, more than 1,100 genetic studies have investigated this polymorphism in the past 15 years. Although these studies have reported some encouraging positive findings initially, most of the findings cannot be replicated in following studies. These inconsistencies in BDNF Val66Met genetic studies may be attributed to many factors such as age, sex, environmental factors, ethnicity, genetic model used for analysis, and gene–gene interaction, which are discussed in this review. We also discuss the results of recent studies that have reported the novel functions of this polymorphism. Because many BDNF polymorphisms and non-genetic factors have been implicated in the complex traits of neuropsychiatric diseases, the conventional genetic association-based method is limited to address these complex interactions. Future studies should apply data mining and machine learning techniques to determine the genetic role of BDNF in neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Jen Tsai
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Brain Science, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Kalenda A, Landgraf K, Löffler D, Kovacs P, Kiess W, Körner A. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is associated with lower BMI, lower postprandial glucose levels and elevated carbohydrate intake in children and adolescents. Pediatr Obes 2018; 13:159-167. [PMID: 28960774 DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.12238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The amino acid-changing exonic variant rs6265 (Val66Met polymorphism) in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been linked to obesity in several genotype-phenotype association studies. OBJECTIVE To identify metabolic factors by which this effect might be conveyed, we aimed to investigate its correlation with (i) obesity, (ii) metabolic parameters, (iii) serum levels of BDNF and (iv) measures of energy intake in children and adolescents. METHODS We genotyped the variant in 2131 subjects (age 6-18 years) and checked for an association with obesity. Secondly, we correlated the genotype with parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism (fasting/postprandial glucose and insulin levels, HbA1c, homeostasis model assessment, Matsuda, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol and triglycerides) in a smaller subset of 845 subjects. We determined BDNF serum levels in 177 individuals by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and assessed the association with genotype and metabolic parameters. Finally, we investigated the association between genotype and macronutrient intake from self-reported food diaries (n = 146). RESULTS The minor Met allele was associated with lower BMI standard deviation score (p = 0.002). Post-pubertal Met allele carriers showed lower postprandial glucose levels and a lower HbA1c (β = 0.15, p = 0.046 and β = 0.27, p = 0.012, respectively). Neither the genotype nor any of the metabolic parameters correlated with BDNF serum levels. We observed an increased total calorie intake (β = -0.21, p = 0.007) with increased carbohydrate and protein intake (β = -0.22, p = 0.005 and β = -0.14, p = 0.028, respectively) in Met allele carriers. CONCLUSIONS We confirmed the association of the minor Met allele with lower BMI in children and provide new data that it is associated with lower postprandial glucose in post-pubertal subjects. Moreover, Met allele carriers reported to consume more carbohydrates and proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kalenda
- Center for Pediatric Research Leipzig (CPL), University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Integrated Research and Treatment Centre (IFB) AdiposityDiseases, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - K Landgraf
- Center for Pediatric Research Leipzig (CPL), University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Integrated Research and Treatment Centre (IFB) AdiposityDiseases, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - D Löffler
- Center for Pediatric Research Leipzig (CPL), University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Integrated Research and Treatment Centre (IFB) AdiposityDiseases, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - P Kovacs
- Integrated Research and Treatment Centre (IFB) AdiposityDiseases, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - W Kiess
- Center for Pediatric Research Leipzig (CPL), University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - A Körner
- Center for Pediatric Research Leipzig (CPL), University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Integrated Research and Treatment Centre (IFB) AdiposityDiseases, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Skibinska M, Groszewska A, Kapelski P, Rajewska-Rager A, Pawlak J, Dmitrzak-Weglarz M, Szczepankiewicz A, Twarowska-Hauser J. Val66Met functional polymorphism and serum protein level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in acute episode of schizophrenia and depression. Pharmacol Rep 2017; 70:55-59. [PMID: 29331787 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharep.2017.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) influences neuron differentiation during development as well as the synaptic plasticity and neuron survival in adulthood. BDNF has been implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and depression. Val66Met polymorphism and BDNF serum level are potential biomarkers in neuropsychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of BDNF gene Val66Met functional polymorphism on serum BDNF concentration in patients with schizophrenia, during depression episode and in healthy control group. METHODS 183 participants were recruited (61 patients with depressive episode, 56 females with schizophrenia, 66 healthy controls) from Polish population. Serum BDNF levels were measured using ELISA method. Val66Met polymorphism was genotyped using PCR- RFLP method. RESULTS Serum BDNF levels were not associated with Val66Met polymorphism in either of the groups. A significant increase of BDNF level in schizophrenia (p = 0.0005) and depression (p = 0.026) comparing to the control group has been observed. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the functional Val66Met BDNF polymorphism is not associated with BDNF serum levels, which is in line with previous findings. Replication studies on larger groups are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Skibinska
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Agata Groszewska
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Pawel Kapelski
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | | | - Joanna Pawlak
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Monika Dmitrzak-Weglarz
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Szczepankiewicz
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland; Laboratory of Molecular and Cell Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Joanna Twarowska-Hauser
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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Effects of crack cocaine addiction and stress-related genes on peripheral BDNF levels. J Psychiatr Res 2017; 90:78-85. [PMID: 28237884 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2017.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the effects of glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1), corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) genes on susceptibility to crack cocaine addiction and BDNF levels. Crack addicted patients who sought treatment (n = 280) and non-addicted individuals (n = 241) were assessed. Three SNPs in NR3C1 (rs6198, rs41423247, and rs10052957), three in CRHR1 (rs12944712, rs110402, and rs878886), and one in BDNF (rs6265) were genotyped. No significant effect was seen in the case-control analyses. Crack cocaine addicted patients showed significantly lower serum BDNF levels. Significant effects were observed for NR3C1 rs41423247 and rs10052957. These effects were restricted to non-addicted individuals and they were supported by significant gene-by-disease status interactions. For CRHR1, all SNPs were associated with BDNF levels. Although there were significant effects only in the analysis restricted to non-addicted individuals, the lack of significant results in the gene-by-disease status interaction analyses suggest a general effect on BDNF levels. The haplotype analyses presented the same effect seen in the single marker analyses. This study suggests that SNPs in the NR3C1 and CRHR1 genes may influence BDNF levels, but this effect is blunted in the context of crack cocaine addiction. Therefore, our data may be interpreted in light of several studies showing pronounced effects of crack cocaine on BDNF levels. Since peripheral BDNF is a biomarker for several psychiatric phenotypes, our results may be useful in interpreting previous associations between stress-related SNPs, drug addiction, and depression.
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Kishi T, Yoshimura R, Ikuta T, Iwata N. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Major Depressive Disorder: Evidence from Meta-Analyses. Front Psychiatry 2017; 8:308. [PMID: 29387021 PMCID: PMC5776079 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is associated with the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). In this mini review, we explored the association between BDNF and MDD using meta-analytic evidence. Our findings indicated that the Val66Met polymorphism in the BDNF gene was not associated with MDD or hippocampal volume in patients with MDD. However, plasma/serum levels of BDNF were decreased in patients with acute MDD compared with healthy controls. Both antidepressant treatment and electroconvulsive therapy increased plasma and serum levels of BDNF in patients with MDD. Val66Met polymorphism in the BDNF gene was associated with an antidepressant response in patients with MDD. Taken together, we did not detect any plausible evidence regarding Val66Met polymorphism in the BDNF gene contributing to a risk of MDD. However, peripheral BDNF levels are decreased in patients with MDD, and the polymorphisms are associated with treatment response. In conclusion, BDNF is best understood to be a biomarker for the state of MDD and its treatment response rather than a risk factor for MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taro Kishi
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Reiji Yoshimura
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Toshikazu Ikuta
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, School of Applied Sciences, University of Mississippi, University, MS, United States
| | - Nakao Iwata
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
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van Velzen LS, Schmaal L, Jansen R, Milaneschi Y, Opmeer EM, Elzinga BM, van der Wee NJA, Veltman DJ, Penninx BWJH. Effect of childhood maltreatment and brain-derived neurotrophic factor on brain morphology. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2016; 11:1841-1852. [PMID: 27405617 PMCID: PMC5091678 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsw086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Revised: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Childhood maltreatment (CM) has been associated with altered brain morphology, which may partly be due to a direct impact on neural growth, e.g. through the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pathway. Findings on CM, BDNF and brain volume are inconsistent and have never accounted for the entire BDNF pathway. We examined the effects of CM, BDNF (genotype, gene expression and protein level) and their interactions on hippocampus, amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) morphology. Data were collected from patients with depression and/or an anxiety disorder and healthy subjects within the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA) (N = 289). CM was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Interview. BDNF Val66Met genotype, gene expression and serum protein levels were determined in blood and T1 MRI scans were acquired at 3T. Regional brain morphology was assessed using FreeSurfer. Covariate-adjusted linear regression analyses were performed. Amygdala volume was lower in maltreated individuals. This was more pronounced in maltreated met-allele carriers. The expected positive relationship between BDNF gene expression and volume of the amygdala is attenuated in maltreated subjects. Finally, decreased cortical thickness of the ACC was identified in maltreated subjects with the val/val genotype. CM was associated with altered brain morphology, partly in interaction with multiple levels of the BNDF pathway. Our results suggest that CM has different effects on brain morphology in met-carriers and val-homozygotes and that CM may disrupt the neuroprotective effect of BDNF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura S van Velzen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center and GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lianne Schmaal
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center and GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rick Jansen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center and GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Yuri Milaneschi
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center and GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Esther M Opmeer
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Groningen, NeuroImaging Center, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Bernet M Elzinga
- Institute of Psychology and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Nic J A van der Wee
- Institute of Psychiatry and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Dick J Veltman
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center and GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Brenda W J H Penninx
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center and GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry and the EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Morales-Marín ME, Genis-Mendoza AD, Tovilla-Zarate CA, Lanzagorta N, Escamilla M, Nicolini H. Association between obesity and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene polymorphism Val66Met in individuals with bipolar disorder in Mexican population. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2016; 12:1843-8. [PMID: 27524902 PMCID: PMC4966648 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s104654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been considered as an important candidate gene in bipolar disorder (BD); this association has been derived from several genetic and genome-wide studies. A polymorphic variant of the BDNF (Val66Met) confers some differences in the clinical presentation of affective disorders. In this study, we evaluated a sample population from Mexico City to determine whether the BDNF (rs6265) Val66Met polymorphism is associated with the body mass index (BMI) of patients with BD. METHODS This association study included a sample population of 357 individuals recruited in Mexico City. A total of 139 participants were diagnosed with BD and 137 were classified as psychiatrically healthy controls (all individuals were interviewed and evaluated by the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies). Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay was performed in 96-well plates using the TaqMan Universal Thermal Cycling Protocol. After the PCR end point was reached, fluorescence intensity was measured in a 7,500 real-time PCR system and evaluated using the SDS v2.1 software, results were analyzed with Finetti and SPSS software. Concerning BMI stratification, random groups were defined as follows: normal <25 kg/m(2), overweight (Ow) =25.1-29.9 kg/m(2), and obesity (Ob) >30 kg/m(2). RESULTS In the present work, we report the association of a particular BMI phenotype with the presence of the Val66Met allele in patients with BD (P=0.0033 and odds ratio [95% confidence interval] =0.332 [157-0.703]), and correlated the risk for valine allele carriers with Ow and Ob in patients with BD. CONCLUSION We found that the methionine allele confers a lower risk of developing Ow and Ob in patients with BD. We also confirmed that the G polymorphism represents a risk of developing Ow and Ob in patients with BD. In future studies, the haplotype analysis should provide additional evidence that BDNF may be associated with BD and BMI within the Mexican population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Edith Morales-Marín
- Genomics of Psychiatric and Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, National Institute of Genomic Medicine (INMEGEN), CDMX, Mexico
| | - Alma Delia Genis-Mendoza
- Genomics of Psychiatric and Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, National Institute of Genomic Medicine (INMEGEN), CDMX, Mexico; Psychiatric Care Services, Child Psychiatric Hospital Dr Juan N Navarro, CDMX, Mexico
| | | | | | - Michael Escamilla
- Department of Psychiatry, Paul L Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso TX, USA
| | - Humberto Nicolini
- Genomics of Psychiatric and Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, National Institute of Genomic Medicine (INMEGEN), CDMX, Mexico; Carracci Medical Group, CDMX, Mexico
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Zhang XY, Chen DC, Tan YL, Tan SP, Luo X, Zuo L, Soares JC. BDNF polymorphisms are associated with schizophrenia onset and positive symptoms. Schizophr Res 2016; 170:41-7. [PMID: 26603468 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2015.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Revised: 11/07/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Numerous studies have showed that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may be involved in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The purposes of this study were to investigate the potential association of BDNF gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to schizophrenia and the psychopathological symptoms in patients with schizophrenia in a Han Chinese population. Four polymorphisms (rs6265, rs12273539, rs10835210 and rs2030324) of the BDNF gene were analyzed in a case-control study of 1887 Han Chinese individuals (844 patients and 1043 controls). We assessed 825 patients for psychopathology using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. In single marker analyses the BDNF rs10835210 mutant A allele was significantly associated with schizophrenia. Haplotype analyses revealed higher frequencies of haplotypes containing the mutant A allele of the rs10835210 in schizophrenia than controls. We also found that this polymorphism rs10835210 was associated with positive symptoms, and the patients carrying the mutational allele A showed more positive symptoms. These findings suggest the role of these BDNF gene variants in both susceptibility to schizophrenia and in clinical symptom severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Yang Zhang
- Psychiatry Research Center, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Harris County Psychiatric Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Da-Chun Chen
- Psychiatry Research Center, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yun-Long Tan
- Psychiatry Research Center, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Shu-Ping Tan
- Psychiatry Research Center, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xingguang Luo
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lingjun Zuo
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jair C Soares
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Harris County Psychiatric Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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A method for reproducible measurements of serum BDNF: comparison of the performance of six commercial assays. Sci Rep 2015; 5:17989. [PMID: 26656852 PMCID: PMC4675070 DOI: 10.1038/srep17989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) has attracted increasing interest as potential biomarker to support the diagnosis or monitor the efficacy of therapies in brain disorders. Circulating BDNF can be measured in serum, plasma or whole blood. However, the use of BDNF as biomarker is limited by the poor reproducibility of results, likely due to the variety of methods used for sample collection and BDNF analysis. To overcome these limitations, using sera from 40 healthy adults, we compared the performance of five ELISA kits (Aviscera-Bioscience, Biosensis, Millipore-ChemiKineTM, Promega-Emax®, R&D-System-Quantikine®) and one multiplexing assay (Millipore-Milliplex®). All kits showed 100% sample recovery and comparable range. However, they exhibited very different inter-assay variations from 5% to 20%. Inter-assay variations were higher than those declared by the manufacturers with only one exception which also had the best overall performance. Dot-blot analysis revealed that two kits selectively recognize mature BDNF, while the others reacted with both pro-BDNF and mature BDNF. In conclusion, we identified two assays to obtain reliable measurements of human serum BDNF, suitable for future clinical applications.
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BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and plasma levels in Chinese Han population with obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. J Affect Disord 2015. [PMID: 26209750 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2015.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anxiety disorders are a category of mental disorders characterized by feelings of anxiety and fear, which include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) used to be categorized as anxiety disorder in DSM-IV. However OCD was no longer included in anxiety disorders and came into its own category titled as Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders (OCRD) in DSM-5. It will be interesting to explore is there any different biological characteristics between OCD and anxiety disorders. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was a potential candidate gene in both OCD and GAD. The results of genetic association studies between BDNF and OCD have been inconsistent. BDNF plasma/serum levels in OCD have been found lower than those in healthy controls. However the heritable reason of the lowered BDNF levels was not well elucidated. The amount of studies about BDNF and GAD were relatively small. The aims of this study were to determine whether single nucleotide polymorphism Val66Met of BDNF was associated with OCD and GAD, to examine BDNF plasma levels in OCD and GAD, and to explore whether Val66Met variation influences BDNF plasma levels. METHODS We genotyped Val66Met variation in 148 OCD patients, 108 GAD patients and 99 healthy controls. Within the same sample, BDNF plasma levels were determined in 113 OCD patients, 102 GAD patients and 63 healthy controls. RESULTS Val66Met variation was not associated with OCD or GAD. BDNF plasma levels in OCD and GAD patients were significant lower than those in healthy controls. Val66Met variation had no influence on BDNF plasma levels. No difference was found between OCD and GAD. Results do not change no matter taking OCD and GAD as one group or separated two. LIMITATIONS First, the sample size for genotyping was relatively small, which leaded to a low statistical power of the genetic part in this study. Second, we genotyped just one SNP in BDNF gene. Third, parts of the participants did not be assayed for BDNF plasma levels. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support the hypothesis that BDNF is involved in the pathophysiology of mental disorders, not only OCD but also GAD. OCD and GAD patients both show lower BDNF plasma levels compared to healthy controls. The BDNF plasma levels are not associated with Val66Met variation.
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Carlino D, Francavilla R, Baj G, Kulak K, d'Adamo P, Ulivi S, Cappellani S, Gasparini P, Tongiorgi E. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor serum levels in genetically isolated populations: gender-specific association with anxiety disorder subtypes but not with anxiety levels or Val66Met polymorphism. PeerJ 2015; 3:e1252. [PMID: 26539329 PMCID: PMC4631459 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.1252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 08/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorders (ADs) are disabling chronic disorders with exaggerated behavioral response to threats. This study was aimed at testing the hypothesis that ADs may be associated with reduced neurotrophic activity, particularly of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and determining possible effects of genetics on serum BDNF concentrations. In 672 adult subjects from six isolated villages in North-Eastern Italy with high inbreeding, we determined serum BDNF levels and identified subjects with different ADs subtypes such as Social and Specific Phobias (PHSOC, PHSP), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and Panic Disorder (PAD). Analysis of the population as a whole or individual village showed no significant correlation between serum BDNF levels and Val66Met polymorphism and no association with anxiety levels. Stratification of subjects highlighted a significant decrease in serum BDNF in females with GAD and males with PHSP. This study indicates low heritability and absence of any impact of the Val66Met polymorphism on circulating concentrations of BDNF. Our results show that BDNF is not a general biomarker of anxiety but serum BDNF levels correlate in a gender-specific manner with ADs subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Carlino
- Psychiatric Clinic, Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences, University of Trieste , Trieste , Italy
| | | | - Gabriele Baj
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste , Trieste , Italy
| | - Karolina Kulak
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste , Trieste , Italy
| | - Pio d'Adamo
- Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences, University of Trieste , Trieste , Italy
| | - Sheila Ulivi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo" , Trieste , Italy
| | - Stefania Cappellani
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo" , Trieste , Italy
| | - Paolo Gasparini
- Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences, University of Trieste , Trieste , Italy ; Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo" , Trieste , Italy
| | - Enrico Tongiorgi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste , Trieste , Italy
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Failla MD, Juengst SB, Arenth PM, Wagner AK. Preliminary Associations Between Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Memory Impairment, Functional Cognition, and Depressive Symptoms Following Severe TBI. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2015; 30:419-30. [PMID: 26276123 DOI: 10.1177/1545968315600525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often leads to mood and cognitive complications, affecting functional recovery. Understanding neurobiological alterations common in post-TBI depression (PTD) and cognition may identify novel biomarkers for TBI complications. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a likely target based on evidence of reduced BDNF signaling in experimental TBI and depression models and its role in learning and memory. Objective To evaluate BDNF as a biomarker for PTD, cognitive impairment, and functional cognition in a prospective cohort with severe TBI. Methods Participants with TBI (n = 113) were evaluated for PTD (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]), cognitive impairment (cognitive composite score), and functional cognition (Functional Independence Measure-Cognition, FIM-Cog). BDNF levels were measured in cerebrospinal fluid and serum at 0 to 6 days postinjury and in serum at 6 and 12 months postinjury. RESULTS Serum BDNF was reduced after TBI versus controls at all time points. Acute serum BDNF positively correlated with memory composites (6 months: r = 0.43, P = .019, n = 30; 12 months: r = 0.53, P = .005, n = 26) and FIM-Memory scores (6 months: r = 0.35, P = .019, n = 45; 12 months: r = 0.38, P = .018, n = 38). Acute serum BDNF negatively correlated with 12-month PHQ-9 scores (r = -0.38; P = .044; n = 29). At 12 months, chronic serum BDNF tended to be lower in participants with PTD (P = .07) and correlated with PHQ-9 scores (r = -0.41; P = .019; n = 32). Conclusions Acute BDNF associations with memory recovery may implicate hippocampal damage/degeneration. Comparatively, BDNF associations with PTD status were not as strong as associations with PTD severity. Further investigation may delineate longitudinal BDNF patterns, and BDNF responsive treatments, reflecting mood and cognitive recovery following TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle D Failla
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Shannon B Juengst
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Patricia M Arenth
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Amy K Wagner
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Failla MD, Conley YP, Wagner AK. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Traumatic Brain Injury-Related Mortality: Interrelationships Between Genetics and Acute Systemic and Central Nervous System BDNF Profiles. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2015; 30:83-93. [PMID: 25979196 DOI: 10.1177/1545968315586465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Older adults have higher mortality rates after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) compared to younger adults. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling is altered in aging and is important to TBI given its role in neuronal survival/plasticity and autonomic function. Following experimental TBI, acute BDNF administration has not been efficacious. Clinically, genetic variation in BDNF (reduced signaling alleles: rs6265, Met-carriers; rs7124442, C-carriers) can be protective against acute mortality. Postacutely, these genotypes carry lower mortality risk in older adults and greater mortality risk among younger adults. OBJECTIVE Investigate BDNF levels in mortality/outcome following severe TBI in the context of age and genetic risk. METHODS Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum BDNF were assessed prospectively during the first week following severe TBI (n = 203) and in controls (n = 10). Age, BDNF genotype, and BDNF levels were assessed as mortality/outcome predictors. RESULTS CSF BDNF levels tended to be higher post-TBI (P = .061) versus controls and were associated with time until death (P = .042). In contrast, serum BDNF levels were reduced post-TBI versus controls (P < .0001). Both gene * BDNF serum and gene * age interactions were mortality predictors post-TBI in the same multivariate model. CSF and serum BDNF tended to be negatively correlated post-TBI (P = .07). CONCLUSIONS BDNF levels predicted mortality, in addition to gene * age interactions, suggesting levels capture additional mortality risk. Higher CSF BDNF post-TBI may be detrimental due to injury and age-related increases in pro-apoptotic BDNF target receptors. Negative CSF and serum BDNF correlations post-TBI suggest blood-brain barrier transit alterations. Understanding BDNF signaling in neuronal survival, plasticity, and autonomic function may inform treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle D Failla
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yvette P Conley
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Health Promotion & Development, School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Amy K Wagner
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
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Hashimoto K. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its precursor proBDNF as diagnostic biomarkers for major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2015; 265:83-4. [PMID: 25362578 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-014-0557-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Hashimoto
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan,
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Kazantseva A, Gaysina D, Kutlumbetova Y, Kanzafarova R, Malykh S, Lobaskova M, Khusnutdinova E. Brain derived neurotrophic factor gene (BDNF) and personality traits: the modifying effect of season of birth and sex. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2015; 56:58-65. [PMID: 25132151 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2014.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Revised: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 08/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Personality traits are complex phenotypes influenced by interactions of multiple genetic variants of small effect and environmental factors. It has been suggested that the brain derived neurotrophic factor gene (BDNF) is involved in personality traits. Season of birth (SOB) has also been shown to affect personality traits due to its influences on brain development during prenatal and early postnatal periods. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of BDNF on personality traits; and the modifying effects of SOB and sex on associations between BDNF and personality traits. A sample of 1018 young adults (68% women; age range 17-25years) of Caucasian origin from the Russian Federation was assessed on personality traits (Novelty Seeking, Harm Avoidance, Reward Dependence, Persistence, Self-directedness, Cooperativeness, Self-transcendence) with the Temperament and Character Inventory-125 (TCI-125). Associations between personality traits and 12 BDNF SNPs were tested using linear regression models. The present study demonstrated the effect of rs11030102 on Persistence in females only (PFDR=0.043; r(2)=1.3%). There were significant interaction effects between Val66Met (rs6265) and SOB (PFDR=0.048, r(2)=1.4%), and between rs2030323 and SOB (PFDR=0.042, r(2)=1.3%), on Harm Avoidance. Our findings provide evidence for the modifying effect of SOB on the association between BDNF and Harm Avoidance, and for the modifying effect of sex on the association between BDNF and Persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kazantseva
- Institute of Biochemistry and Genetics, Ufa Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, 71, Prospekt Oktyabrya, Ufa 450054, Russia.
| | - D Gaysina
- Rudd Centre for Adoption Research and Practice, School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RH, United Kingdom.
| | - Yu Kutlumbetova
- Institute of Biochemistry and Genetics, Ufa Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, 71, Prospekt Oktyabrya, Ufa 450054, Russia; Bashkir State University, 32, Zaki Validi, Ufa 450074, Russia.
| | - R Kanzafarova
- Institute of Biochemistry and Genetics, Ufa Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, 71, Prospekt Oktyabrya, Ufa 450054, Russia; Bashkir State University, 32, Zaki Validi, Ufa 450074, Russia
| | - S Malykh
- Psychological Institute, Russian Academy of Education, 9/4, Mohovaya Street, Moscow 125009, Russia.
| | - M Lobaskova
- Udmurt State University, Universitetskaya St. 1Izhevsk, 426034, Russia
| | - E Khusnutdinova
- Institute of Biochemistry and Genetics, Ufa Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, 71, Prospekt Oktyabrya, Ufa 450054, Russia; Rudd Centre for Adoption Research and Practice, School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RH, United Kingdom
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BDNF genetic variability modulates psychopathological symptoms in patients with eating disorders. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2014; 23:669-79. [PMID: 24292283 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-013-0495-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2013] [Accepted: 11/09/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene may influence eating behavior, body weight and cognitive impairments. We aimed to investigate whether BDNF genetic variability may affect anthropometric and psychological parameters in patients with anorexia or bulimia nervosa (AN, BN) and/or modulate the risk for the disorder. A total of 169 unrelated female patients and 312 healthy controls were genotyped for two common BDNF single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), Val66Met and C-270T, and several selected tag-SNPs. Associated personality characteristics and psychopathological symptoms were assessed by the EDI-2 and SCL-90R inventories, respectively. No single SNP or haplotype played a relevant role in the risk for AN or BN. The rs16917237 TT genotype was significantly associated with increased weight (74.63 ± 16.58 vs. 57.93 ± 13.02) and body mass index (28.94 ± 6.22 vs. 22.23 ± 4.77) in the BN group after correcting for multiple testing. Haplotype analyses using a sliding window approach with three adjacent SNPs produced four loci of interest. Locus 3 (rs10835210/rs16917237/C-270T) showed a broad impact on the measured psychopathological symptoms. Haplotypes CGC and CGT in this locus correlated with scores in all three scales of the SCL-90R inventory, both in AN and BN patients. In contrast, the results of the EDI-2 inventory were largely unaffected. These preliminary results suggest that variability in the BDNF gene locus may contribute to anthropometric characteristics and also psychopathological symptoms that are common but not exclusive of ED patients.
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Sutherland HG, Maher BH, Rodriguez-Acevedo AJ, Haupt LM, Griffiths LR. Investigation of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Gene Variants in Migraine. Headache 2014; 54:1184-93. [DOI: 10.1111/head.12351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Heidi G. Sutherland
- Genomics Research Centre; Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation; Queensland University of Technology; Brisbane Qld Australia
| | - Bridget H. Maher
- Genomics Research Centre; Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation; Queensland University of Technology; Brisbane Qld Australia
| | - Astrid J. Rodriguez-Acevedo
- Genomics Research Centre; Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation; Queensland University of Technology; Brisbane Qld Australia
| | - Larisa M. Haupt
- Genomics Research Centre; Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation; Queensland University of Technology; Brisbane Qld Australia
| | - Lyn R. Griffiths
- Genomics Research Centre; Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation; Queensland University of Technology; Brisbane Qld Australia
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Zakharyan R, Boyajyan A. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor blood levels are decreased in schizophrenia patients and associate with rs6265 genotypes. Clin Biochem 2014; 47:1052-5. [PMID: 24713399 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2014.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2013] [Revised: 03/22/2014] [Accepted: 03/28/2014] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A growing number of studies implicate brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), an important promoter of synaptic transmission and neural plasticity, in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. However, the existing data are controversial, that may reflect population differences between studied groups. DESIGN AND METHODS In the present study we performed a comparative analysis of BDNF plasma levels and its relation with rs6265 (G196A; Val66Met) polymorphism of BDNF gene (BDNF) in schizophrenia-affected and healthy subjects (controls) of the Armenian population. To check the influence of antipsychotics on BDNF plasma levels both medicated and non-medicated patients were involved in this study. Patients with paranoid form of schizophrenia chronically treated with typical antipsychotics (n=103), age- and sex-matched controls (n=105), and 25 antipsychotic-naive first-episode schizophrenia patients were involved. The levels of BDNF in the blood plasma were measured with a solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Decreased plasma levels of BDNF in both medicated and non-medicated schizophrenia patients compared to controls were observed. No significant difference in BDNF levels between medicated and non-medicated patients was detected. It was also detected that, compared to individuals homozygous for the standard allele (G/G) of rs6265, carriers of the rs6265 minor allele (A/G+A/A), which is significantly more frequent in schizophrenia patients than in controls, had decreased BDNF levels. CONCLUSIONS The data obtained suggested that the pathogenesis of schizophrenia is characterized by genetically predetermined decreased blood levels of BDNF. These results indicated that genetically determined alterations of neuroimmune modulators may be among the risk factors of schizophrenia and contribute to disease-specific pathologic changes in functional activity of both the neuronal synaptic plasticity and the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roksana Zakharyan
- Institute of Molecular Biology, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (NAS RA), 7 Hasratyan St., 0014 Yerevan, Armenia.
| | - Anna Boyajyan
- Institute of Molecular Biology, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (NAS RA), 7 Hasratyan St., 0014 Yerevan, Armenia.
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Abstract
The study of the biological basis of personality is a timely research endeavor, with the aim of deepening our understanding of human nature. In recent years, a growing body of research has investigated the role of the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the context of individual differences across human beings, with a focus on personality traits. A large number of different approaches have been chosen to illuminate the role of BDNF for personality, ranging from the measurement of BDNF in the serum/plasma to molecular genetics to (genetic) brain imaging. The present review provides the reader with an overview of the current state of affairs in the context of BDNF and personality.
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Nagata T, Kobayashi N, Shinagawa S, Yamada H, Kondo K, Nakayama K. Plasma BDNF levels are correlated with aggressiveness in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer disease. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2013; 121:433-41. [PMID: 24253237 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-013-1121-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2013] [Accepted: 11/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, we examined whether neuropsychiatric symptoms were correlated with plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels as a state marker or were associated with the BDNF polymorphism Val66Met in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (A-MCI) or Alzheimer disease (AD). One hundred and seventy-six outpatients with AD (n = 129) or A-MCI (n = 47) were selected and their plasma BDNF concentrations measured. Next, we investigated the correlation between the plasma BDNF level and the Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer Disease (Behave-AD) subscale scores, which reflect neuropsychiatric symptoms. We also compared the plasma BDNF level and the Behave-AD subscale scores among the BDNF Val66Met genotypic groups. Among the seven Behave-AD subscale scores, aggressiveness was positively correlated with the plasma BDNF level (ρ = 0.237, P < 0.005), but did not differ significantly among the three BDNF Val66Met genotypic groups. The Behave-AD total and other subscale scores did not differ significantly among the BDNF Val66Met genotypic groups and were not associated with the plasma BDNF level. Moreover, the plasma BDNF level did not differ significantly among the three BDNF Val66Met genotypic groups or between patients with A-MCI and those with AD. The plasma BDNF level was robustly correlated with aggressiveness, implying that the plasma BDNF level might be useful as a behavioral state marker in patients with AD or A-MCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyuki Nagata
- Department of Psychiatry, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishishimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8471, Japan,
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Rodríguez-López R, Pérez JMC, Balsera AM, Rodríguez GG, Moreno TH, García de Cáceres M, Serrano MGC, Freijo FC, Ruiz JRG, Angueira FB, Pérez PM, Estévez MN, Gómez EG. The modifier effect of the BDNF gene in the phenotype of the WAGRO syndrome. Gene 2013; 516:285-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2012.11.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2012] [Revised: 11/12/2012] [Accepted: 11/29/2012] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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