title: Plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels, learning capacity and cognition in patients with first episode psychosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cognitive impairments are seen in first psychotic episode (FEP) patients. The neurobiological underpinnings that might underlie these changes remain unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate whether Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels are associated with cognitive impairment in FEP patients compared with healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  45 FEP patients and 45 healthy controls matched by age, gender and educational level were selected from the Basque Country area of Spain. Plasma BDNF levels were assessed in healthy controls and in patients. A battery of cognitive tests was applied to both groups, with the patients being assessed at 6 months after the acute episode and only in those with a clinical response to treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma BDNF levels were altered in patients compared with the control group. In FEP patients, we observed a positive association between BDNF levels at six months and five cognitive domains (learning ability, immediate and delayed memory, abstract thinking and processing speed) which persisted after controlling for medications prescribed, drug use, intelligence quotient (IQ) and negative symptoms. In the healthy control group, BDNF levels were not associated with cognitive test scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that BDNF is associated with the cognitive impairment seen after a FEP. Further investigations of the role of this neurotrophin in the symptoms associated with psychosis onset are warranted.
authors: CIBERSAM (Biomedical Research Center in Mental Health Net), University Hospital of Alava, University of the Basque Country, Vitoria, Spain.
authors: Sonia
authors: S
authors: Ruiz de Azua
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: Matute
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Stertz
authors: Fernando
authors: F
authors: Mosquera
authors: Aitor
authors: A
authors: Palomino
authors: Iris
authors: I
authors: de la Rosa
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Barbeito
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Vega
authors: Flávio
authors: F
authors: Kapczinski
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: González-Pinto
mesh_terms: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor