Abstract
ObjectiveTo determine the levels of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the serum of patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS) to evaluate the potential of serum BDNF as a biomarker for MS.MethodsUsing a recently validated enzyme‐linked immunoassay (ELISA) we measured BDNF in patients with MS (pwMS), diagnosed according to the 2001 McDonald criteria and aged between 18 and 70 years, participating in a long‐term cohort study with annual clinical visits, including blood sampling, neuropsychological testing, and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The results were compared with an age‐ and sex‐matched cohort of healthy controls (HC). Correlations between BDNF levels and a range of clinical and magnetic resonance imaging variables were assessed using an adjusted linear model.ResultsIn total, 259 pwMS and 259 HC were included, with a mean age of 44.42 ± 11.06 and 44.31 ± 11.26 years respectively. Eleven had a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), 178 relapsing remitting MS (RRMS), 56 secondary progressive MS (SPMS), and 14 primary progressive MS (PPMS). Compared with controls, mean BDNF levels were lower by 8 % (p˂0.001) in pwMS. The level of BDNF in patients with SPMS was lower than in RRMS (p = 0.004).InterpretationWe conclude that while the use of comparatively large cohorts enables the detection of a significant difference in BDNF levels between pwMS and HC, the difference is small and unlikely to usefully inform decision‐making processes at an individual patient level.
Highlights
Despite considerable efforts, personalized treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is still empirical, largely based on clinical practice and experience
brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) at BL was lower by the factor 0.92 (8 %) in patients with MS compared to healthy controls (HC)
Patients with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS) had lower BDNF levels compared to HC (RRMS: P = 0.003, 95 % confidence intervals (CI) [0.90;0.98]; SPMS P 0.001, 95 % CI [0.80; 0.91])
Summary
Despite considerable efforts, personalized treatment of MS patients is still empirical, largely based on clinical practice and experience. Paucity of readily accessible biomarkers makes it difficult to predict the individual course of the disease and potential treatment response. Because of its multiple “trophic” roles in the nervous system[1,2,3,4] brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has received considerable attention as a potential biomarker.[3] In a large number of studies, the levels of BDNF in human serum have been measured in multiple conditions including neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases.[3,4] Previous reports have explored possible links between levels of BDNF in serum and different MS courses.[5,6] In MS lesions, at the cellular level, beyond a 2020 The Authors.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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.
