Exploring the association between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and longitudinal psychopathological and cognitive changes in Sardinian psychotic patients

U. Isayeva; M. Manchia; D. Primavera; L. Deriu; E. Caboni; N. Iaselli; D. Sundas; M. Tusconi; R. Collu; M. Scherma; A. Squassina; D. Congiu; W. Fratta; P. Fadda; B. Carpiniello

doi:10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.414

European Psychiatry (Jun 2022)

Exploring the association between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and longitudinal psychopathological and cognitive changes in Sardinian psychotic patients

U. Isayeva,
M. Manchia,
D. Primavera,
L. Deriu,
E. Caboni,
N. Iaselli,
D. Sundas,
M. Tusconi,
R. Collu,
M. Scherma,
A. Squassina,
D. Congiu,
W. Fratta,
P. Fadda,
B. Carpiniello

Affiliations

U. Isayeva: University of Cagliari, Section Of Psychiatry, Department Of Medical Sciences And Public Health, Cagliari, Italy University of Cagliari, Division Of Neuroscience And Clinical Pharmacology, Department Of Biomedical Sciences, Cagliari, Italy
M. Manchia: University of Cagliari, Section Of Psychiatry, Department Of Medical Sciences And Public Health, Cagliari, Italy Dalhousie University, Department Of Pharmacology, Halifax, Canada
D. Primavera: University of Cagliari, Section Of Psychiatry, Department Of Medical Sciences And Public Health, Cagliari, Italy University of Cagliari, Division Of Neuroscience And Clinical Pharmacology, Department Of Biomedical Sciences, Cagliari, Italy
L. Deriu: University of Cagliari, Section Of Psychiatry, Department Of Medical Sciences And Public Health, Cagliari, Italy
E. Caboni: University of Cagliari, Section Of Psychiatry, Department Of Medical Sciences And Public Health, Cagliari, Italy
N. Iaselli: University of Cagliari, Section Of Psychiatry, Department Of Medical Sciences And Public Health, Cagliari, Italy
D. Sundas: University of Cagliari, Section Of Psychiatry, Department Of Medical Sciences And Public Health, Cagliari, Italy
M. Tusconi: University of Cagliari, Section Of Psychiatry, Department Of Medical Sciences And Public Health, Cagliari, Italy
R. Collu: University of Cagliari, Division Of Neuroscience And Clinical Pharmacology, Department Of Biomedical Sciences, Cagliari, Italy
M. Scherma: University of Cagliari, Division Of Neuroscience And Clinical Pharmacology, Department Of Biomedical Sciences, Cagliari, Italy
A. Squassina: University of Cagliari, Division Of Neuroscience And Clinical Pharmacology, Department Of Biomedical Sciences, Cagliari, Italy
D. Congiu: University of Cagliari, Division Of Neuroscience And Clinical Pharmacology, Department Of Biomedical Sciences, Cagliari, Italy
W. Fratta: University of Cagliari, Division Of Neuroscience And Clinical Pharmacology, Department Of Biomedical Sciences, Cagliari, Italy University of Cagliari, Centre Of Excellence “neurobiology Of Dependence”, Cagliari, Italy
P. Fadda: University of Cagliari, Division Of Neuroscience And Clinical Pharmacology, Department Of Biomedical Sciences, Cagliari, Italy University of Cagliari, Centre Of Excellence “neurobiology Of Dependence”, Cagliari, Italy
B. Carpiniello: University of Cagliari, Section Of Psychiatry, Department Of Medical Sciences And Public Health, Cagliari, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.414
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 65
pp. S154 – S154

Abstract

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Introduction Schizophrenia spectrum disorders are among the most debilitating mental disorders and evidence on its pathophysiological underpinnings is scant. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) appears to be involved in the pathophysiology of these complex psychiatric disorders. Objectives The present study investigates the longitudinal variation of serum BDNF levels in a 24-month observational cohort study of Sardinian psychotic patients (LABSP). This study assessed the variation in BDNF serum levels and its relationship with psychopathological and cognitive changes. Further, we also examined if genetic variations within the BDNF gene could moderate these relationships. Methods Every six months 105 LABSP patients were assessed for their BDNF serum levels, as well as for a series of psychopathological, cognitive, and drug-related measures. Four tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the BDNF gene were selected and analyzed using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Longitudinal data were analyzed using mixed-effects linear regression models (MLRM). Results Analysis showed significantly lower peripheral BDNF levels in psychotic patients with depressive and negative symptoms. BDNF levels were also decreased in patients scoring lower in cognitive measures such as symbol coding and semantic fluency. In addition, Val66Met polymorphism within the BDNF gene significantly moderated the relationship between the severity of negative symptoms and BDNF levels. Conclusions Our findings are consistent with previous literature suggesting that peripheral BDNF levels are associated with some cognitive domains and mood disruption in major psychosis. The results also suggest the lack of association between most BDNF genetic variants, except Val66Met polymorphism, with the severity of negative symptoms. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Published in European Psychiatry

ISSN: 0924-9338 (Print); 1778-3585 (Online)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry: Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system: Psychiatry
Website: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/european-psychiatry

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