Correlation between serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor level and an in vivo marker of cortical integrity.
BACKGROUND
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling at synapses improves synaptic strengthening associated with learning and memory. In the present study we hypothesized that serum BDNF concentration is associated with in vivo level of cerebral N-acetylaspartate (NAA), a well established marker of neuronal integrity.


METHODS
In 36 healthy subjects BDNF serum concentration and absolute concentration of NAA together with other metabolites were measured by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in regions with high BDNF levels (anterior cingulate cortex [ACC], left hippocampus). Relationship between BDNF concentration and brain metabolites was studied in linear regression analysis with BDNF concentration as dependent variable and metabolite concentrations, age, and gender as predictor variables.


RESULTS
The BDNF serum concentrations were positively associated with the concentrations of NAA (T = 2.193, p = .037) and total choline (T = 1.997, p = .055; trend) but not total creatine or glutamate in the ACC. No significant association was observed between BDNF serum concentration and absolute metabolite concentrations in the hippocampus.


CONCLUSIONS
The preliminary data might indicate that BDNF serum concentration reflects some aspects of neuronal plasticity as indicated by its association with NAA level in the cerebral cortex. The results would be in line with the notion that BDNF plays a central role in the regulation of neuronal survival and differentiation in the human brain.
Lang
Undine E
UE
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany.
Hellweg
Rainer
R
Seifert
Frank
F
Schubert
Florian
F
Gallinat
Juergen
J
D000328:Adult; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D002794:Choline / Q000032:analysis; D003401:Creatine / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011522:Protons
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D011522:Protons; D001224:Aspartic Acid; C000179:N-acetylaspartate; D003401:Creatine; D002794:Choline