BDNF concentration and impulsiveness level in post-traumatic stress disorder.
Among the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), impulsiveness has been observed in patients with high levels of hyperarousal. Recent literature reveals the importance of investigating the role of neurotrophins, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), in several psychiatric disorders. Specifically, contrasting findings have been reported on the levels of serum BDNF in subjects with PTSD. The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between BDNF serum levels and impulsiveness in PTSD. To this end, we measured BDNF serum levels in 23 PTSD patients and a control group of 19 trauma-exposed non-PTSD subjects. Results indicate a positive correlation in the PTSD group; that is, the higher the BDNF levels the higher the impulsiveness score, as measured by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), suggesting that impulsiveness could be associated with greater BDNF production. Alternatively, it is also possible that high impulsiveness acts as a psychological mechanism that counteracts the negative effects exerted by the traumatic experience and the associated obsessive thoughts. The present paper discusses both hypotheses.
Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University "G.d'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy.
Giovanni
G
Martinotti
Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University "G.d'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University "A. Moro", Bari, Italy. Electronic address: g.sepede@unich.it.
Gianna
G
Sepede
Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University "G.d'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy.
Marcella
M
Brunetti
IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Department of Clinical and Behavioural Neurology, 00179 Rome, Italy.
Valerio
V
Ricci
Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University "G.d'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy.
Francesco
F
Gambi
Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University "G.d'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy.
Eleonora
E
Chillemi
Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University "G.d'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy.
Federica
F
Vellante
Department of Psychiatry, University of Catania, Italy.
Maria
M
Signorelli
Department of Neuroscience, Catholic University of Rome, Italy.
Mauro
M
Pettorruso
Department of Neuroscience, Catholic University of Rome, Italy.
Luisa
L
De Risio
Department of Psychiatry, University of Catania, Italy.
Eugenio
E
Aguglia
IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Department of Clinical and Behavioural Neurology, 00179 Rome, Italy.
Francesco
F
Angelucci
IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Department of Clinical and Behavioural Neurology, 00179 Rome, Italy.
Carlo
C
Caltagirone
Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University "G.d'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy.
Massimo
M
Di Giannantonio
D000328:Adult; D000067290:Behavior Rating Scale; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000097:blood* / Q000523:psychology
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; C579455:BDNF protein, human
BDNF; Impulsiveness; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Trauma exposure