Association of the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Val66Met Polymorphism With Reduced Hippocampal Volumes in Major Depression

• DOI: 10.1001/archpsyc.64.4.410
• Publication Date: 2007-04-02T22:24:00Z
• Authors: Thomas Frodl; Cornelius Schüle; Gisela Schmitt; Christine Born; Thomas Baghai; Peter Zill; Ronald Bottlender; Rainer Rupprecht; Brigitta Bondy; Maximilian Reiser; Hans-Jürgen Möller; Eva M. Meisenzahl
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Depressive Disorder, Major; Neuronal Plasticity; Polymorphism, Genetic; Genotype; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; Valine; Amygdala; Hippocampus; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; Methionine; 0302 clinical medicine; Gene Frequency; Humans; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Atrophy

<h3>Context</h3> Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) modulates hippocampal plasticity, which is believed to be altered in patients with major depression. <h3>Objective</h3> To examine the effect of the<i>BDNF</i>Val66Met polymorphism on and amygdala volumes depression healthy control subjects. <h3>Design</h3> Cross-sectional comparison between controls. <h3>Setting</h3> Inpatients from Department Psychiatry Psychotherapy controls community were recruited. <h3>Participants</h3> The study population 120 subjects included 60 <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> Using a combined strategy, estimated high-resolution magnetic resonance images, genotyping was performed for polymorphism. <h3>Results</h3> Patients had significantly smaller compared (<i>P</i> = .02). Significantly observed carrying the<i>Met-BDNF</i>allele homozygous the<i>Val-BDNF</i>allele .006). With respect volumes, no significant differences main effects observed. <h3>Conclusions</h3> These genotype-related alterations suggest that<i>Met-BDNF</i>allele carriers might at risk develop may susceptible This supports findings animal studies that hippocampus involved brain development plasticity.