Opposite changes in the serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor in anorexia nervosa and obesity.
OBJECTIVE
A role for the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the regulation of eating behavior has been recently demonstrated. Therefore, the possibility exists that alterations in BDNF production and/or activity are involved in the pathophysiology of anorexia nervosa (AN) and obesity.


METHODS
We measured morning serum levels of BDNF in 22 women with AN, 24 women with obesity (body mass index [BMI] > 30 kg/m2), and 27 nonobese healthy women. All the subjects were drug-free and underwent a clinical assessment by means of rating scales measuring both eating-related psychopathology and depressive symptoms.


RESULTS
As compared with the nonobese healthy controls, circulating BDNF was significantly reduced in AN patients and significantly increased in obese subjects. No significant difference was observed in serum BDNF concentrations between AN women with or without a comorbid depressive disorder. Moreover, serum BDNF levels were significantly and positively correlated with the subjects' body weight and BMI.


CONCLUSIONS
The BDNF changes observed in AN and obesity are likely secondary adaptive mechanisms aimed at counteracting the change in energy balance that occurs in these syndromes.
Monteleone
Palmiero
P
Department of Psychiatry, Institution University of Naples SUN, Largo Madonna delle Grazie, 80138 Naples, Italy. monteri@tin.it
Tortorella
Alfonso
A
Martiadis
Vassilis
V
Serritella
Cristina
C
Fuschino
Antonio
A
Maj
Mario
M
D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor