[EVALUATED SERUM LEVELS OF BRAIN-DERIVED NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR IN MEN AND WOMEN WITH CHRONIC BRAIN ISCHEMIA]

We measured serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in 25 elderly women in 23 men-patients with chronic brain ischemia (CBI), and in 26 gender and age matched healthy controls. The serum levels of BDNF were significantly lower in patients with CBI as compared to healthy controls. The serum levels of BDNF were also lower in men with CBI (7815,14 x 10 ng/ml) in comparison to women-patients (8466,05 x 10 ng/ml). The average serum levels of BDNF in patients with CBI proved to be significantly correlated with kinesthetic praxis disorders (p < 0.05), degree of cognitive impairment (p < 0.01), depression level (p < 0.01), especially in men. The obtained data may be important for individualization of therapeutic intervention.