Serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in acute and posttraumatic stress disorder: a case report study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in two patients, one with posttraumatic stress disorder and one with acute stress disorder, before and after treatment, and to compare those levels to those of healthy controls.


METHODS
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor level, Davidson Trauma Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Global Assessment of Functioning, and Clinical Global Impression were assessed before and after 6 weeks of treatment.


RESULTS
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels were higher in patients than in matched controls before treatment. After 6 weeks, there was a reduction in symptoms and an improvement in functioning in both cases. At the same time, brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels decreased after treatment, even in case 2, treated with psychotherapy only.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, as opposed to what has been described in mood disorders, are increased in posttraumatic stress disorder as well as in acute stress disorder.
Hauck
Simone
S
Center for Study and Treatment of Traumatic Stress, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. shauck@terra.com.br
Gomes
Fabiano
F
Silveira Júnior
Erico de Moura
Ede M
Almeida
Ellen
E
Possa
Marianne
M
Ceitlin
Lúcia Helena Freitas
LH
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D040701:Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor