title: High concentrations of plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor in methamphetamine users.
abstract: Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug that has a neurotoxic effect on the brain. A growing body of evidence suggests that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is associated with addictive behavior. The present study investigated the changes in plasma BDNF concentration that were induced by chronic methamphetamine use. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we measured peripheral BDNF levels in methamphetamine users and in a control group. The plasma BDNF concentrations of methamphetamine users were significantly higher compared with those of controls (2536.3 pg/ml versus 1352.6 pg/ml). This finding suggests that BDNF plays some role in the neurotoxicity of methamphetamine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Kyunggi Province, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Dai-Jin
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sungwon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roh
authors.forename: Yujung
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Su-Jung
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Hae-Kook
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chang-Su
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Yong-Ku
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008694:Methamphetamine