BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and brain volumes in multiple sclerosis.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Genetics
• Neurology

Background:

• Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a crucial role in central nervous system (CNS) physiological and pathological processes.
• Understanding genetic factors influencing multiple sclerosis (MS) is vital for disease management and therapeutic development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and clinical and MRI markers of disease activity in MS patients.
• To explore the potential protective role of the BDNF Met allele against brain atrophy in MS.

Main Methods:

• Genotyping of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism in 45 MS patients and 34 healthy controls (HCs).
• Clinical-MRI examinations to assess global white matter fraction (gWM-f), gray matter fraction (GM-f), cerebrospinal fluid fraction (CSF-f), and abnormal white matter fraction (aWM-f).
• Statistical analysis including regression to identify associations between genotype, clinical markers, and MRI measures.

Main Results:

• Val/Val genotype MS patients exhibited lower GM-f and higher CSF-f compared to Val/Val HCs.
• No statistically significant differences were observed between Val/Met MS patients and HCs.
• Regression analysis indicated that the Val/Met genotype and a higher number of relapses were associated with lower CSF-f.

Conclusions:

• The BDNF Met allele may confer a protective effect against MS.
• The Val66Met polymorphism is associated with brain atrophy markers in MS, with the Met allele potentially mitigating disease-related changes.