Brain-derived neurotrophic factor as a biomarker in primary open-angle glaucoma

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biochemistry
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
• Early detection of POAG is crucial for effective management and preventing vision loss.
• Novel biomarkers are needed for non-invasive screening and diagnosis of early-stage glaucoma.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as a potential biomarker for early POAG detection.
• To measure and compare BDNF levels in patients with early POAG and healthy controls.
• To assess the correlation of BDNF levels with clinical parameters of glaucoma.

Main Methods:

• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify serum BDNF levels.
• A cohort of 25 early POAG patients and 25 age- and sex-matched healthy controls was studied.
• Serum BDNF was measured using monoclonal antibodies specific for BDNF.

Main Results:

• Mean serum BDNF levels were significantly lower in early POAG patients (18.42 ± 4.05 ng/mL) compared to controls (27.16 ± 5.53 ng/mL) (p < 0.05).
• No significant differences in serum BDNF were observed based on age, gender, glaucoma duration, intraocular pressure, or blood pressure.
• Lower serum BDNF concentrations in glaucoma patients showed a significant negative correlation with pattern standard deviations.

Conclusions:

• Serum BDNF may be a valuable biochemical marker for the early detection of POAG.
• This method offers a potentially reliable, time-efficient, and cost-effective approach for POAG diagnosis and screening.
• Further research is warranted to validate these findings and explore BDNF's role in POAG progression.