Brain-derived neurotrophic factor: findings in schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
To review the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in neuroplasticity related to schizophrenia and the recent findings that have been reported on the status of BDNF in patients with schizophrenia and its association with the clinical measures.


RESULTS
Peripheral BDNF levels have been found altered in first-episode patients with psychosis and also in chronic schizophrenia patients. A few studies have reported changes in peripheral BDNF levels following antipsychotic treatment. The role of Val66Met polymorphism in BDNF has been shown to play an important role in structural and functional plasticity in schizophrenia.


CONCLUSIONS
Although peripheral BDNF levels hold promise for providing new perspectives for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of schizophrenia, additional studies including efforts to prove its potential as a biomarker are warranted.
Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA. pbuckley@mcg.edu
Peter F
PF
Buckley
Anilkumar
A
Pillai
Kristy R
KR
Howell
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor