Serum concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with gender identity disorder |
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| Authors: | Anna-Martha V. Fontanari,Tahiana Andreazza, ngelo B. Costa,Jaqueline Salvador,Walter J. Koff,Bianca Aguiar,Pamela Ferrari,Raffael Massuda,Mariana Pedrini,Esalba Silveira,Paulo S. Belmonte-de-Abreu,Clarissa S. Gama,Marcia Kauer-Sant'Anna,Flavio Kapczinski,Maria Ines R. Lobato |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Gender Identity Disorder Program, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil;2. Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, INCT for Translational Medicine, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil;3. Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil |
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| Abstract: | Gender Identity Disorder (GID) is characterized by a strong and persistent cross-gender identification that affects different aspects of behavior. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a critical role in neurodevelopment and neuroplasticity. Altered BDNF-signaling is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of psychiatric disordersand is related to traumatic life events. To examine serum BDNF levels, we compared one group of DSM-IV GID patients (n = 45) and one healthy control group (n = 66). Serum BDNF levels were significantly decreased in GID patients (p = 0.013). This data support the hypothesis that the reduction found in serum BDNF levels in GID patients may be related to the psychological abuse that transsexuals are exposed during their life. |
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| Keywords: | Gender identity disorder Brain-derived neurotrophic factor Transsexualism |
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