title: BDNF in sleep, insomnia, and sleep deprivation.
abstract: The protein brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin family of growth factors involved in plasticity of neurons in several brain regions. There are numerous evidence that BDNF expression is decreased by experiencing psychological stress and that, accordingly, a lack of neurotrophic support causes major depression. Furthermore, disruption in sleep homeostatic processes results in higher stress vulnerability and is often associated with stress-related mental disorders. Recently, we reported, for the first time, a relationship between BDNF and insomnia and sleep deprivation (SD). Using a biphasic stress model as explanation approach, we discuss here the hypothesis that chronic stress might induce a deregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system. In the long-term it leads to sleep disturbance and depression as well as decreased BDNF levels, whereas acute stress like SD can be used as therapeutic intervention in some insomniac or depressed patients as compensatory process to normalize BDNF levels. Indeed, partial SD (PSD) induced a fast increase in BDNF serum levels within hours after PSD which is similar to effects seen after ketamine infusion, another fast-acting antidepressant intervention, while traditional antidepressants are characterized by a major delay until treatment response as well as delayed BDNF level increase. Key messages Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a key role in the pathophysiology of stress-related mood disorders. The interplay of stress and sleep impacts on BDNF level. Partial sleep deprivation (PSD) shows a fast action on BDNF level increase.
authors.affiliation: a Neurobiology Lab for Brain Aging and Mental Health , Transfaculty Research Platform, Molecular & Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Basel , Basel , Switzerland ;|b Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel , Basel , Switzerland ;
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.affiliation: c Center of Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel , Basel , Switzerland.
authors.forename: Edith
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Holsboer-Trachsler
authors.affiliation: a Neurobiology Lab for Brain Aging and Mental Health , Transfaculty Research Platform, Molecular & Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Basel , Basel , Switzerland ;|b Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel , Basel , Switzerland ;
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eckert
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D012892:Sleep Deprivation / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
keywords: BDNF; major depression; rapid-acting antidepressants; sleep deprivation; therapy response