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Variant brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met endophenotypes: implications for posttraumatic stress disorder.
Helena Frielingsdorf1, Kevin G Bath, Fatima Soliman
1The Sackler Institute for Developmental Psychobiology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York 10065, USA. hef2004@med.cornell.edu
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|October 20, 2010
Summary
The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met gene variant impairs fear memory extinction in mice and humans. This BDNF SNP may serve as a biomarker for anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- A common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene, known as BDNF(Met), is associated with reduced neuronal secretion and impaired learning.
- The BDNF(Met) variant has been linked to increased anxiety-like behaviors in mouse models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on the BDNF Val66Met SNP.
- To emphasize its role in anxiety and fear extinction endophenotypes.
- To explore its potential as a biomarker for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and personalized therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- A translational study comparing BDNF(Met) allele carriers (mice and humans) in fear memory extinction.
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to validate neural correlates in human carriers.
Main Results:
- Both mice and human carriers of the BDNF(Met) allele exhibited slower suppression of learned fear responses.
- fMRI confirmed neural correlates associated with this impaired fear extinction in humans.
Conclusions:
- The BDNF Val66Met genotype influences fear memory extinction.
- BDNF genotype and neuroimaging show promise as biomarkers for guiding PTSD therapeutic approaches.
- Further research into BDNF's role could lead to more personalized treatments for anxiety and PTSD.
