Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12323/6100
Title: Exploring the association between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and longitudinal psychopathological and cognitive changes in Sardinian psychotic patients
Authors: Isayeva, Ulker
Manchia, Mirko
Collu, Roberto
Primavera, Diego
Deriu, Luca
Caboni, Edoardo
Iaselli, Novella
Sundas, Davide
Tusconi, Massimo
Pinna, Federica
Paribello, Pasquale
Scherma, Maria
Pisanu, Claudia
Meloni, Anna
Zai, Clement C.
Congiu, Donatella
Squassina, Alessio
Fratta, Walter
Fadda, Paola
Carpiniello, Bernardo
Keywords: BDNF
complex disorders
schizophrenia
biomarkers
longitudinal trajectories
Issue Date: 25-Oct-2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Citation: European Psychiatry , Accepted manuscript
Abstract: Background and Hypothesis: Schizophrenia is among the most debilitating mental disorders and has complex pathophysiological underpinnings. There is growing evidence that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can play a role in its pathogenesis. The present study investigated the longitudinal variation of serum BDNF levels in a 24-month observational prospective cohort study of Sardinian psychotic patients and its relationship with psychopathological and cognitive changes. Further, we examined whether genetic variation within the BDNF gene could moderate these relationships. Study design: Every six months 105 patients were assessed for their BDNF serum levels, as well as for a series of psychopathological, cognitive, and social measures. We performed a targeted analysis of four tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the BDNF gene that were selected and analyzed using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Longitudinal data were analyzed using mixed-effects linear regression models (MLRM). Study results: We observed a declining longitudinal trajectory of BDNF levels in psychotic patients in general, and in relation to the severity of depressive and negative symptoms. BDNF serum levels also declined in patients scoring lower in cognitive measures such as attention and speed of information processing and verbal fluency. The rs7934165 polymorphism moderated the significant association between verbal fluency and BDNF levels. Conclusions: These findings in patients from real-world settings suggest a plausible role of peripheral BDNF levels as a marker of illness burden in schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12323/6100
ISSN: 0924-9338 (Print)
1778-3585 (Online)
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