title: Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor concentrations change after alcohol withdrawal: preliminary data of a case-control comparison.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) are involved in neuroadaptation and foster survival of central and peripheral neurons. In this study, we addressed the question whether BDNF and NGF serum concentrations change during subacute alcohol withdrawal in patients with alcohol dependence compared to healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen patients (age 48.6 ± 7 years) and 15 healthy age-matched controls (age 48.8 ± 7 years) participated consecutively in a 2-week withdrawal study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean BDNF levels (7.8 ng/ml, IQR = 4.4-10.7 vs. 16.5 ng/ml, IQR = 13.9-25.6; Z = -3.8, p < 0.0001) and NGF levels (5.8 pg/ml, IQR = 3.8-13.0 vs. 18.4 pg/ml, IQR = 10.9-25.1; Z = -2.5, p = 0.012) were significantly decreased in alcohol-dependent subjects when compared to healthy matched controls. NGF concentrations decreased significantly from day 3 to day 14 (Z = -2.36; p = 0.019). Mean BDNF concentrations showed a tendency to increase after withdrawal from day 3 to day 14 (Z = 1.7; p = 0.078).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Decreased NGF and BDNF concentrations in patients suffering from alcohol dependence, which stabilize after physical withdrawal, are in line with withdrawal symptoms and neurological risk factors. In turn, increase of BDNF after acute withdrawal might be connected to neurobiological and behavioral stabilization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Köhler
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Klimke
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hellweg
authors.forename: Undine E
authors.initials: UE
authors.lastname: Lang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D013695:Temperance
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; C502240:NGF protein, human; C579455:BDNF protein, human; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor