Abstract
BackgroundSchizophrenia is associated with structural and functional abnormalities of the hippocampus, which have been suggested to play an important role in the formation and emergence of schizophrenia syndrome. Patients with schizophrenia exhibit significant bilateral hippocampal volume reduction and progressive hippocampal volume decrease in first-episode patients with schizophrenia has been shown in many neuroimaging studies. Dysfunction of the neurotrophic system has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The initiation of antipsychotic medication alters the levels of serum Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels. However it is unclear whether treatment with antipsychotics is associated with alterations of hippocampal volume and BDNF levels.MethodsIn the present longitudinal study we investigated the association between serum BDNF levels and hippocampal volumes in a sample of fourteen first-episode drug-naïve patients with schizophrenia (FEP). MRI scans, BDNF and clinical measurements were performed twice: at baseline before the initiation of antipsychotic treatment and 8 months later, while the patients were receiving monotherapy with second generation antipsychotics (SGAs).ResultsWe found that left hippocampal volume was decreased (corrected left HV [t = 2.977, df = 13, p = .011] at follow-up; We also found that the higher the BDNF levels change the higher were the differences of corrected left hippocampus after 8 months of treatment with atypical antipsychotics (Pearson r = 0.597, p = 0.024).ConclusionsThe association of BDNF with hippocampal volume alterations in schizophrenia merits further investigation and replication in larger longitudinal studies.
Highlights
Preclinical and clinical studies suggest a role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in neuronal survival, differentiation, synaptogenesis and maintenance [1,2]
No significant differences were found in the serum Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels before and after the initiation of antipsychotic medication (t = 21.343, df = 13, p = 0.202)
In the present longitudinal study we found that in a sample of first-episode drug-naıve patients with schizophrenia (FEP) drug-naıve patients with schizophrenia, the volume of left hippocampus was reduced 8 months after the initiation of antipsychotic medication
Summary
Preclinical and clinical studies suggest a role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in neuronal survival, differentiation, synaptogenesis and maintenance [1,2]. It has been shown that chronic patients with schizophrenia on clozapine had marginally significant higher BDNF levels compared to patients on FGAs [8,9]. The type of atypical antipsychotic may have differential effects on BDNF levels, as it has been shown that patients with schizophrenia on clozapine had higher BDNF levels compared to patients on risperidone [10]. The initiation of antipsychotic medication alters the levels of serum Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels. It is unclear whether treatment with antipsychotics is associated with alterations of hippocampal volume and BDNF levels
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
