title: Plasma BDNF levels following weight recovery in anorexia nervosa.
abstract: Preclinical studies have implicated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the regulation of eating behavior and body weight. As reviewed in this report, prior studies of BDNF levels in anorexia nervosa have yielded variable results, perhaps reflecting effects of malnutrition and psychiatric comorbidity. The goal of the current report was to assess plasma BDNF as a biomarker in weight-recovered individuals with a history of anorexia nervosa (ANWR).
  
  
  
  Study groups included women meeting criteria for ANWR and healthy female controls. Participants were in a normal weight range, free of current major psychiatric disorder, and free of medication. Self-ratings included eating disorder symptoms, depression and anxiety. Plasma BDNF levels were measured by enzyme linked immunoassay.
  
  
  
  Plasma BDNF levels were not significantly different for ANWR and control groups. Plasma BDNF levels were inversely correlated with anxiety ratings in controls (p<0.02) but not in the ANWR group.
  
  
  
  This report provides new evidence that circulating BDNF concentrations do not differ in healthy controls and ANWR free of psychiatric comorbidity. Additionally, the data provide new information on the relationship between plasma BDNF and anxiety in these two study groups.
authors.affiliation: Fairfield University, 1073 N. Benson Rd., Fairfield, CT 06824, United States. Electronic address: kphillips1@fairfield.edu.
authors.forename: Kathryn E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215, United States. Electronic address: djimerso@bidmc.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Jimerson
authors.affiliation: Augusta University, 1120 15th St., Augusta, GA 30912, United States. Electronic address: apillai@augusta.edu.
authors.forename: Anilkumar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pillai
authors.affiliation: University of Rhode Island, College of Nursing, 39 Butterfield Rd., White Hall, Kingston, RI 02881, United States. Electronic address: bwolfe@uri.edu.
authors.forename: Barbara E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Wolfe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010919:Placebos / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D010919:Placebos
keywords: Anorexia nervosa; Anxiety; Plasma BDNF; Remission