Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder
Published on: May 2, 2025
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism: association with psychopathological symptoms of
Hsin-An Chang1, Ru-Band Lu, Mee-Jen Shy
1Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Abstract:
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been proposed as a risk factor for schizophrenia, but no consistent association between BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and schizophrenia has been established. Therefore, analyses with larger sample sizes and better methodology are needed. To examine whether BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is associated with schizophrenia, schizophrenia patients (n=251) and healthy volunteers (n=284) were recruited for a case-control analysis. Pretreatment psychopathology was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) in a subset of 125 hospitalized schizophrenia patients who were drug-free or drug-naive. Genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), and direct screening techniques. With the exception of nominally significant associations between BDNF Val66Met variation and PANSS total, negative, or general scores, no association between the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and schizophrenia was found. However, this polymorphism may reduce psychopathology, in particular negative symptoms, in schizophrenia.
Related Concept Videos
Human Genetics
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
Biological Causes of Schizophrenia
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin studies.
Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within the...
Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase
