title: Diurnal Variation of Plasma Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in Women with Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is strongly related to hormonal networks and is modulated by hypothalamic activity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate plasma BDNF concentration in patients with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA), with reference to the BDNF circadian rhythm and its relation with the cortisol (F) rhythm, and to assess whether the duration of amenorrhea might influence the BDNF:F ratio in FHA.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was an observational study evaluating 36 amenorrheic and 30 eumenorrheic women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Basal values of BDNF and hormones were examined in blood samples collected from 7:00 to 9:00 h in all the women. Basal BDNF and F levels were determined in blood samples collected in 12 subjects from each group at 8:00, 12:00, 16:00, 20:00, and 24:00 h.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BDNF plasma levels are significantly lower in amenorrheic women (p < 0.001) than in the follicular phase of eumenorrheic women. There are no correlations between BDNF values (p > 0.05), sex steroids, and F in FHA. Low plasma BDNF levels in FHA are not significantly correlated with duration of amenorrhea. The 24-hour variation of BDNF in amenorrheic women is significantly lower when compared to the control group, and normal daily variations of BDNF disappeared in FHA patients. F preserved its circadian rhythm in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interactions between BDNF, the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, and sex steroids might be critical in clinical conditions of modified homeostasis/adaptation, such as FHA.
authors: Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors: Panagiotis
authors: P
authors: Drakopoulos
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Casarosa
authors: Fiorella
authors: F
authors: Bucci
authors: Manuela
authors: M
authors: Piccinino
authors: Jean-Marie
authors: JM
authors: Wenger
authors: Rossella Elena
authors: RE
authors: Nappi
authors: Nicholas
authors: N
authors: Polyzos
authors: Andrea Riccardo
authors: AR
authors: Genazzani
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Pluchino
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000097:blood*; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; C579455:BDNF protein, human; D006854:Hydrocortisone