title: BDNF promoter methylation associated with suicidal ideation in patients with breast cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been considered a risk factor for suicidality. BDNF secretion is influenced by epigenetic (DNA methylation) and genetic (val66met polymorphism) profiles. We aimed to investigate the independent effects of BDNF promoter methylation status on suicidal ideation as well as the effects of its interaction with the val66met polymorphism in patients with breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of279 patients with breast cancer were evaluated 1 week after breast surgery, and 244 (87%) were followed up 1 year later. Suicidal ideation was identified using the item addressing suicidal thoughts on the Beck Depression Inventory. The independent effects of BDNF methylation status on suicidal ideation at two points was investigated using multivariable logistic regression models. The two-way interactive effects of BDNF methylation status and the val66met polymorphism on suicidal ideation were also estimated using the same models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Increased BDNF methylation was significantly associated with suicidal ideation and depression 1 year after breast surgery, and this association was independent of potential covariates, including previous depression, current depressive symptoms, and BDNF genotype. No significant methylation-genotype interactions were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The BDNF hypothesis and the epigenetic origin of suicidality in patients with breast cancer were supported. BDNF gene methylation status may be a biological marker for suicidality in patients with breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Hee-Ju
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Seon-Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-Wan
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Il-Seon
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Hye-Ran
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Korea.
authors.forename: Min-Ho
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Myung-Geun
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung-Han
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea jsyoon@chonnam.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Jin-Sang
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Yoon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000235:genetics; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D059020:Suicidal Ideation
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; C579455:BDNF protein, human
keywords: BDNF; DNA methylation; breast cancer; epigenetics; suicidality