Increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in early crack cocaine withdrawal.
Recent reports suggest that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) could be a biomarker for relapse, drug craving and withdrawal severity. In particular, elevated BDNF levels among former cocaine users have been associated with higher rates of relapse in 90 d. However, no data are available on BDNF levels at baseline and during crack cocaine withdrawal. This study evaluated BDNF among crack cocaine users during inpatient treatment, before and after withdrawal, vs. healthy controls. Clinical correlates with changes in BDNF levels were also assessed. Serum BDNF was evaluated in 49 male crack users on the first and last days of hospitalization and in 97 healthy controls. Serum BDNF was assayed using a sandwich ELISA kit. BDNF levels were significantly lower upon admission when compared to controls, even after adjustment for age, length of inpatient treatment, number of crack rocks used in the last 30 d, years of crack use and interaction between the latter two variables. At discharge, BDNF levels between patients and controls were similar. Number of crack rocks used in the last 30 d and years of crack use were inversely correlated with the outcome. Our findings show that BDNF levels increase during early crack cocaine withdrawal, at an inverse correlation with number of crack rocks used in the last 30 d and years of crack use.
Center for Drug and Alcohol Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Lisia
L
von Diemen
Flavio
F
Kapczinski
Anne Orgle
AO
Sordi
Joana Correa
JC
de Magalhães Narvaez
Luciano Santos Pinto
LS
Guimarães
Felix Henrique Paim
FH
Kessler
Bianca
B
Pfaffenseller
Bianca Wollenhaupt
BW
de Aguiar
Carolina
C
de Moura Gubert
Flavio
F
Pechansky
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D016578:Crack Cocaine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D016578:Crack Cocaine