title: [Dynamic level observation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with first-episode generalized anxiety disorder].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the changing pattern of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the patients with first-episode generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
  
  
  METHODS
  The levels of plasma BDNF and the Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) and Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) scores were measured in 34 patients with first-episode GAD recruited from our hospital between January and December 2007. At baseline and Week 6, they were treated by paroxetine and compared with 31 healthy participants in the control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The baseline level of BDNF [(80 ± 51) ng/L] in the patients with first-episode GAD was higher than that in the control group and had no significant correlation with HAMA and HAMD scores. But at Week 6, the level of BDNF [(70 ± 49) ng/L] had significant correlations with HAMA and HAMD scores (r = 0.4, P = 0 and r = 0.4, P = 0 respectively). At Week 6, the levels of BDNF in the response group (including remission group) and ineffective group were (60 ± 42) ng/L and (83 ± 55) ng/L respectively. And there was significant difference in the levels of BDNF between the ineffective and control groups. The levels of BDNF in the remission and non-remission groups were (59 ± 52) ng/L and (73 ± 49) ng/L respectively. And there was significant difference in the levels of BDNF between the non-remission and control groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The pre-treatment levels of plasma BDNF in the patients with first-episode GAD are higher than those of healthy counterparts. But normal levels may be restored if the patients are cured.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosis & Psychosomatic Diseases, Third Huzhou Hospital, Huzhou, China. shenxinhuasun@sina.com
authors.forename: Xin-hua
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Min-cai
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: Fu-rong
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Niu
authors.forename: Song-tao
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Yi-ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Jian-hong
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Bo-run
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhong-xia
authors.initials: ZX
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy*; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor