title: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels under chronic natalizumab treatment in multiple sclerosis. A preliminary report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our main purpose was to investigate if the chronic treatment with the disease-modifying drug natalizumab shows quantifiable effect on BDNF levels in multiple sclerosis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  BDNF plasma concentration was evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in healthy individuals, not treated multiple sclerosis patients and patients treated with natalizumab.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multiple sclerosis patients have a significantly lower amount of peripheral BDNF than healthy individuals. Patients treated with natalizumab have significantly higher BDNF levels than not treated patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronic natalizumab treatment is associated with significantly increased plasma BDNF concentration in multiple sclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Haţieganu", Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Vitalie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Văcăraş
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Haţieganu", Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Electronic address: zoltan.major@eeg-emg.ro.
authors.forename: Zoltán Zsigmond
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Major
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Haţieganu", Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Anca Dana
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Buzoianu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D020528:Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069442:Natalizumab / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D000069442:Natalizumab
keywords: BDNF; MS; Natalizumab