Brain derived neurotrophic factor profile in children with ischemic stroke

Abstract

Objective: Assessment of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) serum levels in children who have suffered an ischemic stroke (1 month after stroke) and establishment of the correlation between BDNF serum levels and imaging and neurophysiological changes. Methods: The study included a sample of 26 children, aged between 1 and 3 months, with ischemic stroke because of perinatal hypoxic-ischemic lesions of the central nervous system (CNS); 25 children, in the same age group, were included in the control group. Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was used to test the serum BDNF levels. Neurophysiological and neuroimaging exams were performed. Statistical analyses were obtained by the correlation coefficient (Pearson) and ANOVA test. Results: Preliminary study results showed that compared to control group, the children who have suffered ischemic stroke, showed significantly lower serum BDNF levels (p<0.01). In the study group, low BDNF levels correlated with the degree of neuroimaging modifications (rxy=−0.72, p<0.05) and neurophysiological changes (rxy=−0.74, p<0.05). During 3 years after stroke, children with low levels of BDNF developed cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Conclusion: Children that suffered an ischemic stroke because of perinatal hypoxic-ischemic lesions of the CNS had a significantly lower serum BDNF concentrations compared to the control group. Low BDNF levels correlate with the severity of neurophysiological and neuroimaging changes and play an important role in the development of cerebral palsy and epilepsy.