Abstract
BackgroundBrain- derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is linked to neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer disease and Parkinson disease) which are often characterized by olfactory impairment. A specific single nucleotide polymorphism of the BDNF gene, the Val66Met, modulates intracellular trafficking and activity-dependent secretion of BDNF protein. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible association between brain- derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism and olfactory function, a well-known biomarker for neurodegeneration, in healthy young adults. A total of 101 subjects (45 males, age 38.7 ± 9.4 years) were assessed using the Sniffin’ Sticks Extended Test, a highly reliable commercial olfactory test composed of three sub-parts, calculating olfactory threshold (sensitivity), odor discrimination and odor identification. The Val66Met polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction -restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis.ResultsAn impaired function in Met carriers was found, especially when compared to subjects with Val/Val genotype, in the threshold (5.5 ± 2.0 vs 6.5 ± 1.8, p = 0.009), discrimination (10.3± 2.5 vs 11.9 ± 2.2, p = 0.002), and identification task (13.3 ± 1.6 vs 14.1 ± 1.3, p = 0.007), as well as in the overall TDI Score (29.1 ± 4.5 vs 32.6 ± 3.9, p < 0.001).ConclusionsThese findings appear to have implications for the evaluation of olfactory function and the relation of its impairment to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disease.
Highlights
Brain- derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is linked to neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer disease and Parkinson disease) which are often characterized by olfactory impairment
There are experimental studies in animals linking the genetic variant to olfactory function [23], but, to date, little is known about this association in humans, except for a recent population-based study that showed a link between age-related olfactory decline and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism in the older age cohort (70– 90 years) [24]
In order to better define the influence of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on the olfactory function, the purpose of this study was to assess a possible association between BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and olfactory ability in healthy young adults, population less subjected to comorbidities possibly associated with an olfactory dysfunction if compared with elderly people
Summary
Brain- derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is linked to neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer disease and Parkinson disease) which are often characterized by olfactory impairment. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible association between brain- derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism and olfactory function, a well-known biomarker for neurodegeneration, in healthy young adults. An increasing number of animal studies, as well as clinical studies, confirm the important role of the brain- derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in neurodegenerative diseases [5,6,7,8,9]. There are experimental studies in animals linking the genetic variant to olfactory function [23], but, to date, little is known about this association in humans, except for a recent population-based study that showed a link between age-related olfactory decline and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism in the older age cohort (70– 90 years) [24]. In order to better define the influence of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on the olfactory function, the purpose of this study was to assess a possible association between BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and olfactory ability in healthy young adults, population less subjected to comorbidities possibly associated with an olfactory dysfunction if compared with elderly people
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