Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphisms in Parkinson's disease and age of onset.
Given the implications with respect to neuronal survival and the decreased level of the protein in the striatal region in Parkinson's disease (PD), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may be a candidate gene conferring susceptibility to PD. In a recent study of a Japanese population, a functional BDNF Val66Met polymorphism was associated with PD, however, an analogous investigation of a western population did not replicate this finding. In the present study of a Chinese sample, we have investigated the associations between the BDNF polymorphism and susceptibility to PD and PD onset age. The distribution of the BDNF genotypes and alleles did not differ significantly comparing PD patients and controls. Further, the onset age was not significantly different comparing the three BDNF genotype groups. Thus, our negative findings suggest that it is unlikely that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism plays a major role in the pathogenesis of PD in the Chinese population. Other BDNF genetic variants, and the association of these variants with PD symptomatology or treatment response, may merit further investigation.
Hong
Chen-Jee
CJ
Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
Liu
Hsiu-Chih
HC
Liu
Tsung-Yun
TY
Lin
Ching-Hua
CH
Cheng
Chih-Ya
CY
Tsai
Shih-Jen
SJ
D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008715:Methionine / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D013624:Taiwan / Q000208:ethnology; D014633:Valine / Q000235:genetics
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D008715:Methionine; D014633:Valine