title: BDNF serum concentrations in first psychotic episode drug-naïve schizophrenic patients: associations with personality and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship among brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) serum concentrations, BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and personality profile in drug-naïve schizophrenic patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) and healthy participants.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study included fifty FEP patients and fifty healthy participants who served as controls. To study their personality profile the standardized Greek version of the Alternative Five-Factor Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ) was administered. Serum BDNF levels were measured and genotyping of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism was performed in patients and healthy subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  FEP patients presented lower BDNF serum concentrations (P=0.002) and higher scores in ZKPQ Neuroticism (P=0.001) and Aggression-Hostility (P=0.002) scales while lower scores in the ZKPQ Sociability scale (P<0.001) than healthy participants. Multivariate analysis revealed that the odds of being assessed with FEP were 0.4 times lower in those with higher BDNF values (P<0.001) and 1.8 times greater in those with higher Neuroticism scores (P<0.001). There were no significant differences with respect to the Val66Met polymorphism between patients and healthy participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reduced BDNF serum concentrations along with higher Neuroticism scores might be associated with FEP. A complex interplay between BDNF serum concentrations, personality traits, BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, and psychotic symptomatology has been arisen but further investigation is needed to better clarify the observed associations.
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
authors: Marianthi
authors: M
authors: Sotiropoulou
authors: Christos
authors: C
authors: Mantas
authors: Petros
authors: P
authors: Bozidis
authors: Marios
authors: M
authors: Marselos
authors: Venetsanos
authors: V
authors: Mavreas
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Hyphantis
authors: Katerina
authors: K
authors: Antoniou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010551:Personality; D010552:Personality Assessment; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor