Brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene variation influences cerebrospinal fluid 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol concentrations in healthy volunteers

J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2008 Dec;115(12):1695-9. doi: 10.1007/s00702-008-0113-9. Epub 2008 Sep 10.

Abstract

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been shown to influence monoamine transmitter synthesis, metabolism and release. We investigated possible relationships between four BDNF gene polymorphisms and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), homovanillic acid (HVA), and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in healthy volunteers (n = 132). All BDNF polymorphisms (270 C/T, -633 T/A, Val66Met, and 11757 G/C) were associated with MHPG (P < 0.02), but not with 5-HIAA and HVA concentrations. At a second clinical investigation 8-20 years after CSF sampling 30% of the subjects had experienced various psychiatric disorders. Development of a psychiatric disorder was predicted by low 5-HIAA concentrations (P = 0.01). The results suggest that BDNF gene variation participates in regulation of norepinephrine turnover rates in the central nervous system of human subjects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Brain Chemistry / genetics
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / genetics*
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency / genetics
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics
  • Genetic Testing
  • Genotype
  • Homovanillic Acid / analysis
  • Homovanillic Acid / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / analysis
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Male
  • Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / analysis
  • Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / genetics
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / metabolism
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / physiopathology
  • Norepinephrine / metabolism*
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / genetics*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Serotonin / metabolism
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Serotonin
  • Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
  • Norepinephrine
  • Homovanillic Acid