engleski

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor plasma levels: relationship to cognitive and non- cognitive symptoms of dementia

Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a crucial mediator of neuronal plasticity and the most widely distributed member of neurotrophin family. The aim of this study was to provide a better insight into the role of BDNF in the development of cognitive, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). The study included 207 patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), 59 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 52 patients with non-AD types of dementia. Cognitive impairment was evaluated using the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), while the frequency of BPSD was evaluated with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. Plasma BDNF levels were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, according to the procedures supplied by the manufacturer (R&D Systems GmbH). Our results revealed increased BDNF plasma concentration in patients with AD compared to subjects diagnosed with MCI or other types of dementia (H=14.22 ; df=4 ; p=0.007). When patients with AD were subdivided according to the MMSE scores into patients with mild, moderate, and severe cognitive impairment, a significant (H=9.45 ; df=4 ; p=0.050) association was detected between BDNF plasma levels and cognitive decline. The results also corroborated the role of BDNF in the development of BPSD, as a positive correlation between BDNF plasma levels and symptoms of anxiety (r=0.22 ; p=0.002), sleep disorders and nocturnal restlessness (r=0.19 ; p=0.025), appetite distress and eating disorders (r=0.18 ; p=0.039) was found. These data provided further insight in the important role of BDNF in dementia, by demonstrating a significant association between lower plasma BDNF levels and more severe cognitive and non-cognitive symptoms of dementia.

BDNF, cognition, dementia, plasma

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