title: BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism Is Related to Motor System Function After Stroke.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The val(66)met polymorphism in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been associated with poorer outcomes after stroke. The mechanism for this finding remains uncertain but might be related to the reduced motor system activation associated with this polymorphism in healthy people.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The current study examined whether the presence of the BDNF val(66)met polymorphism is associated with reduced motor system activation after stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two patients with stroke who were enrolled in 1 of 2 studies of robot-assisted arm motor therapy participated in the study. All participants were tested for the BDNF val(66)met polymorphism followed by functional magnetic resonance imaging during affected hand movement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants averaged 12 months poststroke and had wide-ranging motor deficits (Fugl-Meyer scale scores=14-60). Brain activation in participants without the BDNF val(66)met polymorphism (n=26) spanned bilateral motor networks with a larger volume (total=334 cc) than that found in participants with this polymorphism (n=16) (97 cc). Regional analyses were consistent. Participants without this polymorphism showed larger ipsilesional primary sensorimotor cortex activation volume and magnitude compared with those in whom the polymorphism was present.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The extent to which these findings generalize to other populations of people with stroke, such as those with stroke <7 days prior, remains uncertain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Functional magnetic resonance imaging during affected hand movement showed decreased brain activation among participants with the BDNF val(66)met polymorphism compared with those lacking this polymorphism, especially in the ipsilesional primary sensorimotor cortex contralateral to movement. These results echo findings in healthy people and suggest that genetic factors affecting the normal brain continue to be operative after stroke. The findings suggest a potential imaging-based endophenotype for the BDNF val(66)met polymorphism's effect on the motor system that may be useful in a clinical trial setting.
authors.affiliation: D.Y. Kim, MD, Department of Rehabilitation, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, Korea.
authors.forename: Dae Yul
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: E.B. Quinlan, PhD, Department of Neurology, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, California.
authors.forename: Erin B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Quinlan
authors.affiliation: R. Gramer, BA, Department of Neurology, University of California at Irvine.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gramer
authors.affiliation: S.C. Cramer, MD, MMSc, Department of Neurology, University of California at Irvine, Hewitt Hall, Room 1331, Mail Code 1385, Irvine, CA 92697 (USA). scramer@uci.edu.
authors.forename: Steven C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Cramer
mesh_terms: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D066191:Sensorimotor Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D020521:Stroke / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; C579455:BDNF protein, human