The Utility of BDNF Detection in Assessing Severity of Huntington's Disease.

Klaudia Plinta,Krzysztof Pawlicki,Marcin Rudziński,Magdalena Wójcik-Pędziwiatr,Agnieszka Krzak-Kubica,Nikola Zmarzły,Monika Rudzińska-Bar,Andrzej Plewka,Magdalena Doręgowska-Stachera

doi:10.3390/jcm10215181

Abstract

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in the survival and maturation of neurons, and also promotes and controls neurogenesis. Its levels are lowered in many neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington’s disease (HD). Clinical pictures of HD can be very diverse, which makes it difficult to assess its severity; however, molecular markers may be helpful. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between HD severity and the plasma BDNF concentration in HD patients. The study recruited 42 patients with diagnosed and genetically confirmed HD and 40 healthy volunteers. BDNF levels were determined in plasma with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Correlations between BDNF levels and clinical profiles and HD severity were also investigated. The BDNF level was significantly lower in HD patients compared to the control. There was no correlation between the BDNF level and motor symptoms and cognitive impairment. In the early disease stages, BDNF levels were associated with a better neurological examination, independence, and functional evaluation, in contrast to later HD stages, where the correlations were inverse. Multidirectional correlations between parameters of saccadic disorders and the BDNF level do not allow for drawing a conclusion, whether or not there is a relationship between the severity of saccadic disorders and the BDNF concentration.

Highlights

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is responsible for the growth and development of nerve cells, and determines the survival of striatal neurons, regulates learning and memory, and influences mood and behavior [1,2]
Our study showed a correlation between a low level of plasma BDNF and greater severity of bradykinesia, but not dystonia of the trunk and lower limb in the early disease stage
Lower levels of plasma BDNF were recorded in Huntington’s disease (HD) patients compared to the control, which is consistent with previous reports

Summary

Introduction

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is responsible for the growth and development of nerve cells, and determines the survival of striatal neurons, regulates learning and memory, and influences mood and behavior [1,2]. It occurs in all structures of the central nervous system, but its highest concentration was recorded in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex [3]. Additional peripheral sources of brain-derived neurotrophic factor are macrophages, lymphocytes, endothelial cells, and smooth muscles. It crosses the blood–brain barrier bidirectionally, and, the peripheral concentration of this factor may depend on its production by neurons and glial cells [6,7]

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