title: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor serum levels in cocaine-dependent patients during early abstinence.
abstract: Preclinical studies indicate that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in neuroplastic changes underlying enduring cocaine-seeking following withdrawal. However, little is known about temporal changes in serum BDNF levels or the involvement of BDNF in craving and abstinence in early-abstinent cocaine-dependent patients. Twenty-three cocaine-dependent individuals (aged 33.65 ± 6.85 years) completed a two-week detoxification program at an inpatient facility. Two serum samples were collected for each patient at baseline and at the end of the protocol. Serum samples were also collected for 46 healthy controls (aged 35.52 ± 9.37 years). Demographic, consumption and clinical data were recorded for all patients. Significantly lower serum BDNF levels (p<.0001) were observed for cocaine-dependent patients at baseline compared to healthy controls. Serum BDNF levels increased significantly across 12 days of early abstinence (p=.030). Baseline BDNF levels correlated with craving (p=.034). Post-detoxification BDNF levels correlated with craving (p=.018), loss of control (p<.000), abstinence measures (p=0.031), depression (p=0.036), and anxiety (p=0.036). Post-detoxification BDNF levels also had predictive value for the loss of control measure of craving. Chronic cocaine use is associated with decreased serum BDNF. A progressive increase in serum BDNF levels during early abstinence correlates with cocaine craving and abstinence symptoms and may reflect increasing BDNF levels in different brain regions. These findings suggest that serum BDNF may be a biomarker for cocaine addiction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Electronic address: mcoromin@vhebron.net.
authors.forename: Margarida
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Corominas-Roso
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Roncero
authors.forename: Francisco Jose
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Eiroa-Orosa
authors.forename: Begoña
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gonzalvo
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grau-Lopez
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ribases
authors.forename: Laia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Cintas
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Mora
authors.forename: Josep-Antoni
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ramos-Quiroga
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Casas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor