Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene not associated with antidepressant-induced mania.
BACKGROUND
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in the regulation of synaptic plasticity and neurotransmitter release across multiple neurotransmitter systems. Recent studies have suggested that BDNF plays a role in the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder (BPD). Moreover, increasing BDNF production might be one of the mechanisms involved in the alleviation of depression and aggravation of mania in antidepressant treatment.


OBJECTIVE
Thus, we hypothesized that a genetic variant within the BDNF gene might influence susceptibility to antidepressant-induced mania, as has been suggested previously.


METHODS
We performed a case-control study to test for allelic frequency and genotype distribution differences across six BDNF polymorphisms between 27 patients with antidepressant-induced mania (IM+) and 29 patients without antidepressant-induced mania (IM-).


RESULTS
We did not observe any significant difference in either allelic or genotype frequencies between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results did not support the BDNF link to mania hypothesis proposed previously. However, a larger sample would allow for greater power to determine smaller effects of the BDNF gene in antidepressant-induced mania.
Zai
Gwyneth
G
Neurogenetics Section, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Clarke Division, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Mundo
Emanuela
E
Strauss
John
J
Wong
Gregory W H
GW
Kennedy
James L
JL
D000483:Alleles; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor