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Updated: May 28, 2026
An Improved Protocol to Purify and Directly Mono-Biotinylate Recombinant BDNF in a Tube for Cellular Trafficking Studies in Neurons
Published on: July 11, 2020
Enhanced BDNF serum levels in patients with severe pathological gambling
Francesco Angelucci1, Giovanni Martinotti, Francesca Gelfo
1IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Department of Clinical and Behavioural Neurology, Rome, Italy Institute of Psychiatry, Catholic University, Rome, Italy. f.angelucci@hsantalucia.it
Abstract:
Although the pathophysiology of gambling is unknown, an involvement of midbrain dopaminergic pathway has been hypothesized. In this study, the association between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and pathological gambling was investigated. We measured BDNF serum levels in (1) video players (n=10); (2) card players (n=9); (3) mixed players (n=21; both video and card players) and (4) age-matched controls (n=18). Mixed players had increased BDNF serum levels as compared to controls and higher South Oaks Gambling Screen score as compared to card or video players. Thus, the data demonstrate that patients affected by severe pathological gambling show enhanced BDNF serum levels.
