Motor recovery and brain-derived neurotrophic factor level in patients with poststroke depression

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim was to assess motor recovery and brain-derived neurotrophic factor level in patients with poststroke depression (PSD).BackgroundPSD is a common problem of stroke that negatively interferes with the outcome of patients with stroke.Patients and methodsThis is a case–control study conducted in Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University. The authors included all 200 patients, and then patients with acute ischemic stroke were randomized into two groups: control group (100 patients) and depression group (100 patients). Each patient was subjected to complete history taking, detailed neurological examination, brain-derived neurotrophic factor level assessment, and neurological and psychological evaluation using the following scales: Fugl-Meyer stroke scale-motor assessment, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, Modified Rankin scale, and Beck depression inventory scale at baseline and 3-month follow-up timing.ResultsThere was a highly significant decrease in follow-up Fugl-Meyer assessment in the depressed group compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Moreover, the authors found a highly significant decrease in follow-up brain-derived neurotrophic factor level in the depressed group compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Spearman's correlation analysis shows that follow-up Beck depression inventory-II had a highly significant negative correlation with 90-day Fugl-Meyer assessment, with a highly significant statistical difference (P = 0.0012).ConclusionCorrelation between PSD and functional outcome has been shown, and it has a negative effect on upper limb function and performance of self-care, with decrease in the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.