title: Effects of antipsychotics on the serum BDNF levels in schizophrenia.
abstract: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is active during a critical developmental period and likely influences the neuroplasticity of schizophrenia. This study longitudinally examined the effects of atypical antipsychotics on serum BDNF levels in schizophrenic patients. Specifically, this study measured serum BDNF levels in 53 patients with paranoid schizophrenia during a relapse and again 4 weeks following the administration of antipsychotic treatment (with risperidone in 32 cases, and clozapine in 21 cases). BDNF levels remained unchanged relative to study entry after 4 weeks of atypical antipsychotic treatment. However, serum BDNF was significantly increased in the subgroup receiving risperidone compared to that receiving clozapine, albeit only in the 15 male subjects and not in the 17 females. These results suggest that gender might significantly influence the antipsychotic treatment of schizophrenia from the perspective of BDNF. These findings may also indicate that the treatment with atypical antipsychotic agents differentially affects BDNF levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chang gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gun University College of Medicine, Kaohsiun, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chien-Chih
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Tiao-Lai
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D003024:Clozapine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018967:Risperidone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012563:Schizophrenia, Paranoid / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D003024:Clozapine; D018967:Risperidone