title: Serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
abstract: There is evidence that major psychiatric discords such as schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) are associated with dysregulation of synaptic plasticity with downstream alterations of neurotrophins. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is the most widely distributed neurotrophin in the central nervous system (CNS), and performs many biological functions such as promoting the survival, differentiation, and plasticity of neurons. Variants in the BDNF gene increase the risk of SZ and bipolar disorder. Chronic administration of drugs used to treat SZ and BD, such as lithium, valproate, quetiapine, clozapine, and olanzapine, increases BDNF expression in rat brain. To examine serum BDNF, three groups of chronically medicated DSM-IV SZ patients, on treatment with clozapine (n=27), typical (n=14), and other atypical antipsychotics (n=19), 30 euthymic BD patients, and 26 healthy control had 5 ml blood samples collected by venipuncture. Serum BDNF levels were significantly higher in SZ patients (p<0.001) when compared to either controls or euthymic BD patients. Increased BDNF in SZ patients might be related to the course of illness or to treatment variables. Prospective studies are warranted.
authors: Laboratório de Psiquiatria Molecular, Centro de Pesquisas, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350, 90035 003, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. csgama@yahoo.com
authors: Clarissa Severino
authors: CS
authors: Gama
authors: Ana Cristina
authors: AC
authors: Andreazza
authors: Maurício
authors: M
authors: Kunz
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Berk
authors: Paulo Silva
authors: PS
authors: Belmonte-de-Abreu
authors: Flavio
authors: F
authors: Kapczinski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000523:psychology; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor