title: Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor decreased in chronic ketamine abusers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in a group of chronic ketamine abusers in comparison to healthy controls. The correlations between the serum BDNF, NGF level with the subjects' demographic, pattern of ketamine use were also examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  93 subjects who met the criteria of ketamine dependence and 39 healthy subjects were recruited. Serum BDNF and NGF levels were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Psychopathological symptoms were assessed using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both serum levels of BDNF and NGF were significant lower in the ketamine users compared to the healthy control subjects (9.50±6.68 versus 14.37±6.07 ng/ml, p=0.019 for BDNF; 1.93±0.80 versus 2.60±1.07 ng/ml, p=0.011 for NGF). BDNF level was negatively associated with current frequency of ketamine use (r=-0.209, p=0.045).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both BDNF and NGF serum concentrations were significantly lower among chronic ketamine users than among health controls.
authors: Guangzhou Brain Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510370, China; Shenzhen Mental Health Center, 1080 Cuizhu Road, Luohu District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, China.
authors: Xiaoyin
authors: X
authors: Ke
authors: Guangzhou Brain Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510370, China.
authors: Yi
authors: Y
authors: Ding
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, 300 George street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
authors: Ke
authors: K
authors: Xu
authors: Guangzhou Brain Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510370, China.
authors: Hongbo
authors: H
authors: He
authors: Guangzhou Brain Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510370, China.
authors: Minling
authors: M
authors: Zhang
authors: Guangzhou Brain Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510370, China.
authors: Daping
authors: D
authors: Wang
authors: Guangzhou Baiyun Voluntary Drug Rehabilitation Hospital, 586 North of Baiyun Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510440, China.
authors: Xuefeng
authors: X
authors: Deng
authors: Guangzhou Baiyun Voluntary Drug Rehabilitation Hospital, 586 North of Baiyun Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510440, China.
authors: Xifan
authors: X
authors: Zhang
authors: Guangzhou Brain Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510370, China.
authors: Chao
authors: C
authors: Zhou
authors: Guangzhou Brain Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510370, China.
authors: Yuping
authors: Y
authors: Liu
authors: Guangzhou Brain Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510370, China.
authors: Yuping
authors: Y
authors: Ning
authors: Guangzhou Brain Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510370, China. Electronic address: fanni2005@126.com.
authors: Ni
authors: N
authors: Fan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007649:Ketamine; D008297:Male; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000097:blood*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D007649:Ketamine; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor
keywords: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; Ketamine; Nerve growth factor