Correlation between brain-derived neurotrophic factor and oxytocin in older adults

Abstract

Background: Several previous studies have demonstrated that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and oxytocin are associated with dementia, depression, and mental health. The aim of this study was to measure the serum BDNF and oxytocin levels of community-dwelling older adults and evaluate the relationship between the two biomarkers in the study cohort. Methods: This survey was conducted between November 2016 and September 2017 in Kurokawa-cho, Imari, Saga Prefecture, Japan, and the participants were community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 65 years old. Their blood samples were collected for the measurement of their serum BDNF and oxytocin levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The relationship between serum BDNF and oxytocin levels was analyzed using correlation and multiple regression analyses. Results: A total of 95 participants (25 men and 70 women; mean age: 78.24 ± 3.85 years and 77.96 ± 5.52 years, respectively) were analyzed. The results of the analyses indicated that serum BDNF level was positively associated with serum oxytocin level, even after adjusting for age, sex, and years of education. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that BDNF and oxytocin may interact in older adults and may be associated with maintaining good mental health among them.

Keywords

• Brain-derived neurotrophic factor
• Oxytocin
• Mental health
• Older adults