Assessment of Neuron-Specific Enolase and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels at Rehabilitation Stages in the Early and Late Recovery Periods of Ischemic Stroke

Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology - Objective. To monitor peripheral blood levels of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and analyze mutual...     

Association of 5-HTTLPR Serotonin Transporter Gene Polymorphism and Val66Met Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Gene Polymorphism with Auditory N100 Evoked Potential Amplitude in Patients with Endogenous Psychoses

We studied the relationship between genes of serotonin transporter and brain-derived neurotrophic factor and parameters of AEP N100 wave to a non-significant stimulus in patients with endogenous mental diseases. In patients with endogenous psychoses, a significant effect of BDNF Val66Met marker on N100 wave amplitude was revealed: the mean N100 amplitude was higher in carriers of Val/Val genotype compared to Val/Met genotype carriers. The effect of the 5-HTTLPR marker on the wave amplitude was less pronounced (tendency): the SS genotype was associated with higher N100 amplitude. Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 146, No. 11, pp. 541–544, November, 2008     

Platelet Serotonin Transporter Function and Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Panic Disorder

Many studies showed abnormal serotonin transporter (5-HTT) function and heart rate variability (HRV) in panic disorder patients. The present study investigated the relationship between HRV power spectral analysis findings and platelet serotonin uptake in panic disorder patients. Short-term HRV over 5 min and platelet serotonin transporter uptake parameters (V_max and K_m) were measured both in 45 patients with panic disorder and in 30 age-matched normal healthy control subjects. Low frequency power (LF) normalized unit (nu) and LF/high frequency power (HF) were significantly higher, whereas HF and HF nu were lower in the patient group than in the control group. V_max and K_m were all significantly lower (i.e., reflects decreased 5-HTT function) in patients with panic disorder than in normal controls. In the patient group, K_m was negatively correlated with LF/HF and LF nu whereas no such correlations between them were found in the control group. By multivariate analysis based on multiple hierarchical linear regression, a low K_m independently predicted an increased LF nu even after controlling for age, sex, and body mass index in the patient group. These results suggest that impaired 5-HTT function is closely related to dysregulation of autonomic nervous system in panic disorder.     

无抽搐电休克治疗对抑郁症患者血清脑源性神经营养因子的影响

目的研究无抽搐电休克治疗(MECT)对抑郁症患者的疗效与血清脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)变化的相关关系。方法将32例抑郁症患者,经6次MECT治疗,用汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)评定疗效,用酶联免疫吸附法测定患者MECT前后的血清BDNF水平。结果抑郁症患者MECT治疗后的血清BDNF水平(28.25±3.98ng/m1)高于治疗前(23.86±3.53ng/m1)(t=7.41,P<0.01),HAMD评分(14.34±2.61)较治疗前(32.13±2.72)降低(t=27.34,P<0.01);并且MECT的疗效与血清BDNF变化呈正相关(r=0.680,P<0.01),其直线回归方程:Y=81.711+0.174X,有统计学意义(t=5.18,P<0.01)。结论 MECT治疗能提高抑郁症患者的血清BDNF水平,血清BDNF变化可能是MECT抗抑郁疗效的相关指标。     

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Neuroimmunology: Lessons Learned from Multiple Sclerosis Patients and Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Models

The concept of neuroprotective autoimmunity implies that immune cells, especially autoantigen-specific T cells, infiltrate the central nervous system (CNS) after injury and contribute to neuroregeneration and repair by secreting soluble factors. Amongst others, neurotrophic factors and neurotrophins such as brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) are considered to play an important role in this process. New data raise the possibility that this concept could also be extended to neuroinflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) where autoantigen-specific T cells infiltrate the CNS, causing axonal/neuronal damage on the one hand, but also providing neuroprotective support on the other hand. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on BDNF levels analyzed in MS patients in different compartments and its correlation with clinical parameters. Furthermore, new approaches in experimental animal models are discussed that attempt to decipher the functional relevance of BDNF in autoimmune demyelination.     

Role of Stress-Related Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in the Rat Submandibular Gland

The nerve growth factor (NGF) family comprises NGF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophins (NTs)-3, -4/5, -6 and -7, all of which are collectively referred to as neurotrophins. However, the expression of neurotrophins other than NGF in the salivary gland has not been described in detail. Through interaction with the TrkB receptor, BDNF plays an important role in long-term potentiation. We found that BDNF expression increased within submandibular gland tissue in response to stress, suggesting that the salivary glands are sensitive to stress. In addition, stress caused increases in plasma BDNF derived from the submandibular gland and in TrkB receptor mRNA in the adrenal medulla. Plasma BDNF might activate TrkB receptors in the adrenal medulla during acute stress. The salivary glands are likely to influence not only oral health, but also systemic organs. This review addressed the relationship between hormone-like effects and stress-related BDNF expression in the rat submandibular gland.     

Abundant Production of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor by Adult Visceral Epithelia : Implications for Paracrine and Target-Derived Neurotrophic Functions

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a crucial role for the survival of visceral sensory neurons during development. However, the physiological sources and the function of BDNF in the adult viscera are poorly described. We have investigated the cellular sources and the potential role of BDNF in adult murine viscera. We found markedly different amounts of BDNF protein in different organs. Surprisingly, BDNF levels in the urinary bladder, lung, and colon were higher than those found in the brain or skin. In situ hybridization experiments revealed that BDNF mRNA was made by visceral epithelial cells, several types of smooth muscle, and neurons of the myenteric plexus. Epithelia that expressed BDNF lacked both the high- and low-affinity receptors for BDNF, trkB and p75(NTR). In contrast, both receptors were present on neurons of the peripheral nervous system. Studies with BDNF-/-mice demonstrated that epithelial and smooth muscle cells developed normally in the absence of BDNF. These data provide evidence that visceral epithelia are a major source, but not a target, of BDNF in the adult viscera. The abundance of BDNF protein in certain internal organs suggests that this neurotrophin may regulate the function of adult visceral sensory and motor neurons.     

改良电抽搐治疗对重度抑郁患者血清脑源性神经营养因子的影响

目的:研究改良电抽搐治疗(Modified Electroconvulsive Therapy,MECT)对重度抑郁患者的疗效与血清BDNF(脑源性神经营养因子)变化的相关关系.方法:28例未用抗抑郁药的重度抑郁患者,经2周内6次MECT急性治疗,用汉密尔顿抑郁量表评定疗效.用酶联免疫吸附法测定患者MECT前后的血清BDNF.结果:重度抑郁患者MECT急性治疗2周后的血清BDNF水平(7.9±3.4ng/ml)高于MECT前(5.7±2.1ng/m1)(P＜0.001),但MECT后HAM-D(汉米尔顿抑郁量表)评分(8.1±5.5)低于MECT前(31.4±4.7)(P＜0.001);并且MECT的疗效与血清BDNF变化呈正相关(r=0.532,P=0.004),其直线回归方程:Y=67.980 0.131X,有意义(P=0.023).结论:有效的MECT抗抑郁治疗能提高血清BDNF水平,血清BDNF变化可能是MECT抗抑郁疗效的相关指标.     

The influence of inhalative corticosteroids on circulating Nerve Growth Factor, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Neurotrophin-3 in allergic asthmatics

BACKGROUND: The neurotrophins Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Neurotrophin (NT)-3 are produced, stored and released by various immunological cells. The influence of NTs upon the function of these cells is described. Elevated plasma levels were found in inflammatory, autoimmune and allergic diseases with the highest levels in allergic asthma. A connection between bronchial hyper-responsiveness and serum levels has been reported. OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the influence of treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) on serum NT levels and their influence on the asthmatic state. METHODS: Eighty-seven volunteers were studied. Thirty-eight were stable allergic asthmatics with constant ICS doses, 29 were asthmatics not receiving anti-asthmatic treatment and 20 were age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Demographic and lung function data were evaluated. NT serum levels were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: NGF and BDNF levels were significantly increased in untreated asthmatics compared to the control and the treated group, while NT-3 demonstrated significantly higher levels in treated asthmatics compared to healthy controls. After stabilization of untreated subjects with ICS, the NT levels decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that NTs participate in allergic inflammation and asthma. Effective treatment leads to a decrease of circulating neurotrophic factors.     

Peculiarities of Brain Information Processing in Persons with Different Serotonin Transporter Gene Variants

Association of brain processes presumably underlying aggression with serotonin transporter gene polymorphism in men was studied. Carriers of more active gene variant are characterized by higher aggression index, increased component of brain potential mismatch negativity responsible for automatic difference detection, and decreased P300 component characterizing involuntary attention and cognitive control.     

The State of the Serotonin Transporter Protein in the Platelets of Patients with Somatoform Disorders

The role of the serotonin transporter protein (STP) in the development of somatoform disorders was addressed in a correlational study of the levels of immunoreactive STP (IR-STP) using site-specific antibodies against the least conserved (among a group of other cotransporters) epitope at the C-terminal of STP and the level of anxiety symptoms in patients with somatoform disorders. A total of 22 patients were studied, with DSM-IV diagnoses of somatoform disorders, along with 32 mentally healthy subjects of comparable age and sex. Immunoblotting of IR-STP from patients from healthy donors produced a diffuse band between 68 and 105 kDal and a clear narrow band at 43 kDal. The 43-kDal IR-STP protein was almost completely absent from most patients, as compared with the levels of this protein in healthy donors. This result suggests an abnormality of STP processing or, perhaps, alternative splicing of the gene encoding STP in patients with somatoform disorders, and this appears to reflect the dysfunction in serotoninergic transmission in the CNS in these patients.     

抑郁症患者认知功能与脑源性神经营养因子相关性研究

目的探讨抑郁症患者认知功能及血清脑源性神经营养因子BDNF及其与抑郁严重程度的关系,为防治疾病提供重要依据。方法采用酶联免疫吸附法、汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)和威斯康星卡片分类(WCST)测验分别测定40例抑郁症患者的血清BDNF水平、抑郁严重程度及认知功能,并与49名正常对照组进行对比分析。结果研究组治疗前总应答数、非持续性错误数均明显增加,正确应答数明显减少,血清BDNF水平明显降低,与对照组比较有显著性差异(P<0.01)。研究组治疗8周末总应答数、持续性错误数、非持续性错误数减少,完成分类数和正确应答数增加,血清BDNF水平明显升高,HAMD总分明显降低,与治疗前比较有显著差异(P<0.05或P<0.01)。治疗前,患者组WCST非持续性错误与血清BDNF水平呈负相关(r=-0.34,P<0.05),血清BDNF水平与HAMD总分无相关(r=-0.10,P>0.05)。治疗后,WCST上述5个指标与血清BDNF水平及HAMD总分均无相关(P>0.05)。结论抑郁症患者存在认知功能受损及血清BDNF水平的下降,抗抑郁治疗可改善认知功能,并显著提高血清BDNF水平。