Lack of association between BDNF Val66Met gene polymorphism and late-onset depression in a Chinese Han population.
BACKGROUND
Val66Met polymorphism in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene has been suggested to be associated with major depressive disorder (MDD). There were a few reports of the relationship between the variant and late-onset depression (LOD) in Chinese Han population.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship among BDNF Val66Met gene variants, BDNF plasma level and LOD.


METHODS
Chinese Han patients with LOD (n = 99) and control subjects (n = 110) were assessed for BDNF Val66Met gene polymorphism. BDNF plasma level was tested only in LOD.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences in genotypes and allele frequencies between cases and controls (p = 0.744 and p = 0.845, respectively). Plasma BDNF level also did not show significant differences in three genotypes in LOD (p = 0.860).


CONCLUSIONS
The Val66Met polymorphism in BDNF gene may not confer susceptibility to LOD in Chinese Han population.
1Department of Psychiatry, Nanjing Brain Hospital affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
Jiayong
J
You
1Department of Psychiatry, Nanjing Brain Hospital affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
Yonggui
Y
Yuan
1Department of Psychiatry, Nanjing Brain Hospital affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
Yanyan
Y
Shi
2Department of Neuropsychiatry, Affiliated ZhongDa Hospital of Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
Zhijun
Z
Zhang
1Department of Psychiatry, Nanjing Brain Hospital affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
Xiangrong
X
Zhang
1Department of Psychiatry, Nanjing Brain Hospital affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
Hailin
H
Li