title: The relationship between brain-derived neurotrophic factor and cognitive functions in alcohol-dependent patients: a preliminary study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As a neurotoxic substance, alcohol can induce neurodegenesis in the brain. Alcohol-dependent patients' cognitive functioning can be affected by chronic alcohol use. In addition, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is known to reflect the status of neuroadaptive changes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between cognitive functions and BDNF in alcohol-dependent patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects were 39 alcohol-dependent patients. BDNF was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. We examined clinical features and administered the Korean version of Alcohol Dependence Scale. We also used the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) to measure cognitive functioning. Then, we determined the relationships between BDNF and various parts of the CERAD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The performance of alcohol-dependent patients proved stable in most parts of the CERAD. Within the different parts of the CERAD, only Trail Making Test B correlated with BDNF. Trail Making Test specifically assesses executive functions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BDNF might play an important role in the detection of neurocognitive function among individuals with alcohol dependence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Korea University, Ansan Hospital, Ansan, Korea.
authors.forename: Changwoo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Seonam University, Myongji Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Hwallip
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.affiliation: Keyo Medical Foundation, Keyo Hospital, Uiwang, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-Doo
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Won
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health Research, Seoul National Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sungwon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roh
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, 137-701 Korea.
authors.forename: Dai-Jin
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Alcohol dependence; Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; Cognitive function