Blood levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor correlate with several psychopathological symptoms in anorexia nervosa patients

Background: Evidence of a role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the pathophysiology of eating disorders (ED) has been provided by association studies and by murine models. BDNF plasma levels have been found altered in ED and in psychiatric disorders that show comorbidity with ED. Aims:...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Mercader Bigas, Josep Maria, Fernández Aranda, Fernando, Gratacós Mayora, Mònica, Ribasés, Marta, Badía, Anna, Villarejo, Cynthia, Solano, Raquel, González Ruiz, Juan Ramón, Vallejo, Julio, Estivill, Xavier, 1955-
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión enviada para evaluación y publicación
Fecha de publicación:2007
País:España
Institución:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:10230/16494
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10230/16494
http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000120623
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Trastorns de la conducta alimentària -- Aspectes genètics
Anorèxia nerviosa
Bulímia
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor
Eating disorders
Anorexia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa
Psychopathology
Anxiety
Depression
Obsessive-compulsiveness
Descripción
Sumario:Background: Evidence of a role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the pathophysiology of eating disorders (ED) has been provided by association studies and by murine models. BDNF plasma levels have been found altered in ED and in psychiatric disorders that show comorbidity with ED. Aims: Since the role of BDNF levels in ED-related psychopathological symptoms has not been tested, we investigated/nthe correlation of BDNF plasma levels with the Symptom Checklist 90 Revised (SCL-90R) questionnaire in a total of 78 ED patients. Methods: BDNF levels, measured by/nthe enzyme-linked immunoassay system, and SCL-90R questionnaire, were assessed in a total of 78 ED patients. The relationship between BDNF levels and SCL-90R scales was calculated using a general linear model. Results: BDNF plasma levels correlated with the Global Severity Index and the Positive Symptom Distress Index global scales and five of the nine subscales in the anorexia nervosa patients. BDNF plasma levels were able to explain, in the case of the Psychoticism subscale, up to 17% of the variability (p = 0.006). Conclusion: Our data suggest that BDNF levels could be involved in the severity of the disease through the modulation of psychopathological traits that are associated with the ED phenotype.