title: Alterations of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in early alcohol withdrawal.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Alcohol withdrawal-enhanced neurotoxicity contributes to the addictive process. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in neuronal plasticity and learning. In this study, we explored the changes of serum BDNF levels in alcoholic patients at baseline and after one-week alcohol withdrawal.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five alcoholic patients were admitted for alcohol detoxification treatment, and 22 healthy control subjects were also enrolled. We collected blood samples of the patient group on the first and seventh day of alcohol withdrawal, and measured serum BDNF level with sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The severity of withdrawal symptoms was evaluated by the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment-Alcohol, Revised every eight hours.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum BDNF levels did not differ significantly between alcoholic patients and control subjects. But BDNF levels were found to be significantly increased one week after alcohol withdrawal (from 13.9 +/- 3.8 ng/ml to 15.4 +/- 3.8 ng/ml, P = 0.03). A significant positive correlation was found between baseline BDNF level and baseline withdrawal severity (r = 0.45, P = 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study suggests that elevated serum BDNF levels were found in early alcohol withdrawal, implying that BDNF may involve in neuroadaptation during the period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Taipei City Psychiatric Center, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ming-Chyi
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Chun-Hsin
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chia-Hui
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Shing-Cheng
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chia-Jen
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Winston W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Sy-Jye
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Leu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor