1
|
Keeler JL, Bahnsen K, Wronski ML, Bernardoni F, Tam F, Arold D, King JA, Kolb T, Poitz DM, Roessner V, Treasure J, Himmerich H, Ehrlich S. Longitudinal changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) but not cytokines contribute to hippocampal recovery in anorexia nervosa above increases in body mass index. Psychol Med 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38450444 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291724000394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Physical sequelae of anorexia nervosa (AN) include a marked reduction in whole brain volume and subcortical structures such as the hippocampus. Previous research has indicated aberrant levels of inflammatory markers and growth factors in AN, which in other populations have been shown to influence hippocampal integrity. METHODS Here we investigated the influence of concentrations of two pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α] and interleukin-6 [IL-6]) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on the whole hippocampal volume, as well as the volumes of three regions (the hippocampal body, head, and tail) and 18 subfields bilaterally. Investigations occurred both cross-sectionally between acutely underweight adolescent/young adult females with AN (acAN; n = 82) and people recovered from AN (recAN; n = 20), each independently pairwise age-matched with healthy controls (HC), and longitudinally in acAN after partial renourishment (n = 58). Hippocampal subfield volumes were quantified using FreeSurfer. Concentrations of molecular factors were analyzed in linear models with hippocampal (subfield) volumes as the dependent variable. RESULTS Cross-sectionally, there was no evidence for an association between IL-6, TNF-α, or BDNF and between-group differences in hippocampal subfield volumes. Longitudinally, increasing concentrations of BDNF were positively associated with longitudinal increases in bilateral global hippocampal volumes after controlling for age, age2, estimated total intracranial volume, and increases in body mass index (BMI). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that increases in BDNF may contribute to global hippocampal recovery over and above increases in BMI during renourishment. Investigations into treatments targeted toward increasing BDNF in AN may be warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Louise Keeler
- Centre for Research in Eating and Weight Disorders (CREW), Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Klaas Bahnsen
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marie-Louis Wronski
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fabio Bernardoni
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Friederike Tam
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Eating Disorder Treatment and Research Center, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Dominic Arold
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Joseph A King
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Theresa Kolb
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - David M Poitz
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Veit Roessner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Janet Treasure
- Centre for Research in Eating and Weight Disorders (CREW), Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Hubertus Himmerich
- Centre for Research in Eating and Weight Disorders (CREW), Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Stefan Ehrlich
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Eating Disorder Treatment and Research Center, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Elwyn R, Mitchell J, Kohn MR, Driver C, Hay P, Lagopoulos J, Hermens DF. Novel ketamine and zinc treatment for anorexia nervosa and the potential beneficial interactions with the gut microbiome. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 148:105122. [PMID: 36907256 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe illness with diverse aetiological and maintaining contributors including neurobiological, metabolic, psychological, and social determining factors. In addition to nutritional recovery, multiple psychological and pharmacological therapies and brain-based stimulations have been explored; however, existing treatments have limited efficacy. This paper outlines a neurobiological model of glutamatergic and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic dysfunction, exacerbated by chronic gut microbiome dysbiosis and zinc depletion at a brain and gut level. The gut microbiome is established early in development, and early exposure to stress and adversity contribute to gut microbial disturbance in AN, early dysregulation to glutamatergic and GABAergic networks, interoceptive impairment, and inhibited caloric harvest from food (e.g., zinc malabsorption, competition for zinc ions between gut bacteria and host). Zinc is a key part of glutamatergic and GABAergic networks, and also affects leptin and gut microbial function; systems dysregulated in AN. Low doses of ketamine in conjunction with zinc, could provide an efficacious combination to act on NMDA receptors and normalise glutamatergic, GABAergic and gut function in AN.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosiel Elwyn
- Thompson Institute, University of the Sunshine Coast, Birtinya, QLD, Australia; SouthWest Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW, Australia.
| | - Jules Mitchell
- Thompson Institute, University of the Sunshine Coast, Birtinya, QLD, Australia; SouthWest Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael R Kohn
- AYA Medicine Westmead Hospital, CRASH (Centre for Research into Adolescent's Health) Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney University, Australia; SouthWest Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Christina Driver
- Thompson Institute, University of the Sunshine Coast, Birtinya, QLD, Australia; SouthWest Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Phillipa Hay
- Translational Health Research Institute (THRI) School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia; SouthWest Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Jim Lagopoulos
- Thompson Institute, University of the Sunshine Coast, Birtinya, QLD, Australia; SouthWest Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Daniel F Hermens
- Thompson Institute, University of the Sunshine Coast, Birtinya, QLD, Australia; SouthWest Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Keeler JL, Robinson L, Keeler-Schäffeler R, Dalton B, Treasure J, Himmerich H. Growth factors in anorexia nervosa: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal data. World J Biol Psychiatry 2022; 23:582-600. [PMID: 34875968 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2021.2015432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Growth factors are signalling molecules that play roles in the survival, proliferation, migration, and differentiation of cells. Studies have found alterations in specific growth factors in anorexia nervosa (AN). METHODS This systematic review and meta-analysis examined articles from three databases, measuring growth factors in AN cross-sectionally and longitudinally, and in recovered AN (rec-AN) cross-sectionally. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and insulin growth factor-I (IGF-1) for cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. RESULTS A total of 82 studies were included: 56 cross-sectional (BDNF: n = 15; IGF-1: n = 41) and 24 longitudinal (BDNF: n = 5; IGF-1: n = 19) were meta-analysed and 20 studies were narratively synthesised. In cross-sectional analyses, BDNF and IGF-1 were lower in AN compared to controls, and BDNF was marginally greater in rec-AN compared to controls. In longitudinal meta-analyses, BDNF and IGF-1 increased from baseline to follow-up. Cross-sectional subgroup analyses revealed no differences in BDNF between controls and AN binge-eating/purging subtypes. CONCLUSIONS It is likely that the low BDNF and IGF-1 levels found in AN are consequences of starvation, which are reversible with weight restoration. The increase in BDNF and IGF-1 during therapeutic weight restoration might improve neuroplasticity, which is the basis of learning, and thus psychotherapeutic success.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Louise Keeler
- Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Lauren Robinson
- Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Bethan Dalton
- Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Janet Treasure
- Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Hubertus Himmerich
- Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Steinhäuser JL, Wronski ML, Keeler JL, Ehrlich S, King JA. Barking up the wrong biomarker? Correspondence to Shobeiri et al. (2022) "Serum and plasma levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in individuals with eating disorders (EDs): a systematic review and meta-analysis". J Eat Disord 2022; 10:141. [PMID: 36104758 PMCID: PMC9476306 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-022-00662-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite intensified research efforts into the underlying (neuro-)biology of eating disorders (EDs), only few reliable biomarkers of diagnostic or prognostic value have been identified to date. One promising line of research has focused on the role of peripheral blood-based biomarkers as potential contributors to the complex pathophysiology of EDs. One such candidate marker is brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophin broadly implicated in neuronal plasticity and food-intake regulation. A growing number of studies have targeted BDNF in EDs; culminating in several recent well-powered and controlled case-control studies, comprehensive meta-analyses, and review articles. In the current correspondence, we aim to put the recent meta-analysis of Shobeiri et al. (J Eat Disord 10(1):105, 2022) into perspective and argue that the finding suggestive of lower BDNF concentrations across individuals with EDs in comparison to healthy controls needs to be interpreted with caution. While this finding is compatible with those from earlier meta-analyses, it may be biased due to several reasons; most notably by the applied study selection procedures, insufficient consideration of influential determinants of BDNF concentrations, and generalization of results across the ED spectrum without sufficient statistical power. Further controlled and comprehensive studies are necessary to establish BDNF as a clinically informative biomarker of EDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas L Steinhäuser
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marie-Louis Wronski
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Johanna L Keeler
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Stefan Ehrlich
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Joseph A King
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Keeler JL, Patsalos O, Chung R, Schmidt U, Breen G, Treasure J, Hubertus H, Dalton B. Short communication: Serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and association with pro-inflammatory cytokines in acute and recovered anorexia nervosa. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 150:34-39. [PMID: 35349796 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neuroprotective molecule known to be involved in neuroplasticity, learning and memory. Additionally, it may mitigate the effects of inflammation on the brain. There is inconclusive evidence as to whether reductions in BDNF found in AN are related to features associated with the illness such as changes in inflammatory markers and comorbidities, and whether they persist after recovery. This cross-sectional study measured BDNF and 36 inflammatory markers in the serum of individuals recovered from AN (rec-AN; n = 24), with acute AN (n = 56), and healthy controls (n = 51). We (a) compared BDNF concentrations between AN, rec-AN and controls including four pre-determined covariates; (b) assessed the relationship between BDNF and body mass index, eating disorder (ED) psychopathology and depression; and (c) correlated BDNF with inflammatory markers, stratified by group. The AN group showed reductions in BDNF compared to controls and rec-AN. BDNF was negatively associated with depression and ED psychopathology in the whole sample, but not the AN sample. BDNF was positively correlated with three inflammatory markers in the control group (interleukin (IL)-8, Eotaxin-3, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α) and negatively correlated with one (IL-16). The only pro-inflammatory marker associated with BDNF in the AN group was TNF-α, and no pro-inflammatory markers were associated with BDNF in the rec-AN group. These results indicate that BDNF serum concentrations may be a state marker of AN. In people with acute AN, BDNF levels seem to be linked to TNF-α signalling. However, BDNF concentrations do not appear to reflect AN symptom severity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johanna L Keeler
- Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
| | - Olivia Patsalos
- Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Raymond Chung
- MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Ulrike Schmidt
- Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 3BX, UK
| | - Gerome Breen
- MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Janet Treasure
- Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 3BX, UK
| | - Himmerich Hubertus
- Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 3BX, UK
| | - Bethan Dalton
- Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Doose A, Hellerhoff I, Tam FI, King JA, Seidel M, Geisler D, Plähn HCI, Roessner V, Akgün K, Ziemssen T, Ehrlich S. Neural and glial damage markers in women after long-term weight-recovery from anorexia nervosa. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 135:105576. [PMID: 34781223 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The acute state of anorexia nervosa (AN) is accompanied by increased peripheral concentrations of brain-derived damage markers indicative of ongoing neural and glial damage processes. Although these findings correspond with well-documented structural brain changes in the disorder, it remains unclear whether abnormal levels of brain-derived damage markers persist after long-term weight-recovery from AN. METHODS To address this question, we used single-molecule array (Simoa) technology to measure serum levels of neurofilament light (NF-L), tau protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in a group of 55 long-term weight-recovered women with a history of AN (recAN) and 55 age-matched healthy controls. Strict exclusion criteria allowed us to control for confounds present in previous studies including most importantly neurological conditions. RESULTS We found not only no group differences but also statistical evidence for equal damage marker levels between groups using Bayesian hypothesis testing. CONCLUSION These results provide evidence for the absence of neuronal and glial damage processes after long-term weight-recovery from AN. Together, our findings are indicative of complete normalization following long-term weight restoration provide hope that recovery from AN halts neuronal damage processes and support the need to test potential candidates for therapeutic interventions including pharmacological neuroprotection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arne Doose
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Inger Hellerhoff
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Eating Disorder Research and Treatment Center, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Friederike I Tam
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Eating Disorder Research and Treatment Center, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Joseph A King
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Maria Seidel
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Daniel Geisler
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Hans Christian I Plähn
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Veit Roessner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katja Akgün
- Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Neurological Clinic, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tjalf Ziemssen
- Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Neurological Clinic, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan Ehrlich
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Eating Disorder Research and Treatment Center, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Borsdorf B, Dahmen B, Buehren K, Dempfle A, Egberts K, Ehrlich S, Fleischhaker C, Konrad K, Schwarte R, Timmesfeld N, Wewetzer C, Biemann R, Scharke W, Herpertz-Dahlmann B, Seitz J. BDNF levels in adolescent patients with anorexia nervosa increase continuously to supranormal levels 2.5 years after first hospitalization. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2021; 46:E568-E578. [PMID: 34654737 PMCID: PMC8526129 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.210049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) influences brain plasticity and feeding behaviour, and it has been linked to anorexia nervosa in numerous studies. Findings in mostly adult patients point to reduced serum BDNF levels in the acute stage of anorexia nervosa and rising levels with weight recovery. However, it is unclear whether this increase leads to normalization or supranormal levels, a difference that is potentially important for the etiology of anorexia nervosa and relapse. METHODS We measured serum BDNF at admission (n = 149), discharge (n = 130), 1-year follow-up (n = 116) and 2.5-year follow-up (n = 76) in adolescent female patients with anorexia nervosa hospitalized for the first time, and in healthy controls (n = 79). We analyzed associations with body mass index, eating disorder psychopathology and comorbidities. RESULTS Serum BDNF was only nominally lower at admission in patients with anorexia nervosa compared to healthy controls, but it increased continuously and reached supranormal levels at 2.5-year follow-up. BDNF was inversely associated with eating disorder psychopathology at discharge and positively associated with previous weight gain at 1-year follow-up. LIMITATIONS We compensated for attrition and batch effects using statistical measures. CONCLUSION In this largest longitudinal study to date, we found only nonsignificant reductions in BDNF in the acute stage of anorexia nervosa, possibly because of a shorter illness duration in adolescent patients. Supranormal levels of BDNF at 2.5-year follow-up could represent a pre-existing trait or a consequence of the illness. Because of the anorexigenic effect of BDNF, it might play an important predisposing role for relapse and should be explored further in studies that test causality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jochen Seitz
- From the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital, RWTH University Aachen, Germany (Borsdorf, Dahmen, Buehren, Scharke, Herpertz-Dahlmann, Seitz); the kbo-Heckscher Klinikum, Academic Teaching Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany (Buehren); the Institute of Medical Informatics and Statistics, Kiel University, Germany (Dempfle); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Wuerzburg, Germany (Egberts); the Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany (Ehrlich); the Eating Disorders Research and Treatment Center, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany (Ehrlich); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Freiburg, Germany (Fleischhaker); the Child Neuropsychology Section, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital, RWTH University Aachen (Konrad); the JARA-Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging (INM-11), Juelich Research Centre, Germany (Konrad); the Oberberg Fachklinik Konraderhof, Cologne-Huerth, Germany (Schwarte); the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, Philipps-University Marburg, Germany (Timmesfeld); the Department of Medical Informatics, Biometrics and Epidemiology, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany (Timmesfeld); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Cologne City Hospitals, Germany (Wewetzer); the Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University of Leipzig, Germany (Biemann); the Cognitive and Experimental Psychology, Institute of Psychology, RWTH Aachen University, Germany (Scharke)
| |
Collapse
|