title: The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) polymorphism Val66Met is associated with neither serum BDNF level nor response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in depressed Japanese patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We investigated the relationship between a brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) polymorphism (Val66Met) and the clinical response of patients with major depressive disorder to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; here, paroxetine and sertraline). In addition, serum BDNF levels in these patients were considered together with the clinical response.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 132 patients who met the DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder were enrolled in the study. 54 of these patients were male and 78 were female (age range, 20-74years; mean±S.D., 51±15). The patients' clinical improvement was evaluated using the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17) before (T0) and at 8weeks after the administration of SSRI treatment (T8). Patients with at least a 50% decrease in the HAMD-17 score were classified as responders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No correlation was observed between the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and response to SSRIs or between the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and serum BDNF levels at T0. An inverse correlation was found between serum BDNF levels and HAMD-17 scores at T0.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is independent of both the response to SSRI treatment and serum BDNF levels. The findings in the present study reconfirm that the serum BDNF level is a state biomarker for depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu 8078555, Japan. yoshi621@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Reiji
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yoshimura
authors.forename: Taro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kishi
authors.forename: Akihito
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Wakako
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Umene-Nakano
authors.forename: Atsuko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ikenouchi-Sugita
authors.forename: Hikaru
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hori
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Otani
authors.forename: Nakao
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Iwata
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nakamura
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D015415:Biomarkers; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020280:Sertraline / Q000494:pharmacology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D020280:Sertraline