Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 2, 2025

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Pathway Linking Obesity to Autoimmune Inflammation in Multiple Sclerosis
08:17

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Pathway Linking Obesity to Autoimmune Inflammation in Multiple Sclerosis

Published on: February 23, 2024

4.8K

The BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism (rs6265) Modulates Inflammation and Neurodegeneration in the Early Phases of Multiple

Ettore Dolcetti1, Antonio Bruno1, Federica Azzolini1

  • 1Neurology Unit, IRCSS Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy.

Genes
|February 25, 2022
PubMed

Insights

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism is linked to central inflammation and reduced cortical thickness in early multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. This finding offers new insights into MS pathogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis involves inflammation and neurodegeneration.
  • The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism (rs6265) affects brain function but its role in MS is debated.
  • Understanding genetic influences on MS is crucial for targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism with clinical, inflammatory, and structural MRI features in early relapsing-remitting MS (RR-MS).
  • To explore the link between the Val66Met polymorphism and central nervous system inflammation markers.

Main Methods:

  • Genotyping of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism in 218 RR-MS patients at diagnosis.
  • Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytokines using principal component analysis (PCA).
  • Assessment of structural MRI measures, including cortical thickness.

Main Results:

  • The Met allele of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism was associated with specific pro-inflammatory cytokines (MCP-1, IL-8, TNF, Eotaxin, MIP-1b) in CSF.
  • No significant associations were found between the polymorphism and clinical characteristics of RR-MS.
  • Patients with the Val66Met polymorphism showed reduced cortical thickness at diagnosis.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first evidence linking the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism to central inflammation in newly diagnosed MS patients.
  • The Val66Met polymorphism may influence both inflammatory and neurodegenerative pathways in MS.
  • These findings highlight the potential role of BDNF genetics in MS pathophysiology and course.
Keywords:
BDNFVal66Metcytokinesinflammationmultiple sclerosisneurodegenerationrs6265

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Insight Into Advances in Prion Diseases Research10:40

Author Spotlight: Insight Into Advances in Prion Diseases Research

Published on: August 11, 2023

593
Author Spotlight: Creating a Versatile Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Model Relevant for Both Male and Female Mice05:44

Author Spotlight: Creating a Versatile Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Model Relevant for Both Male and Female Mice

Published on: October 13, 2023

1.6K

Related Concept Videos

Neural Regulation01:37

Neural Regulation

Digestion begins with a cephalic phase that prepares the digestive system to receive food. When our brain processes visual or olfactory information about food, it triggers impulses in the cranial nerves innervating the salivary glands and stomach to prepare for food.
40.4K
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway02:26

NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway

The transcription factor NF-κB was discovered in 1986 in the lab of Nobel laureate Professor David Baltimore, for its interaction with the immunoglobulin light chain enhancer in B-cells. After more than three decades of study, it is now evident that NF-κB regulates the expression of over 100 genes. Most of these genes play an essential role in the innate and adaptive immune responses as well as the inflammatory responses of animals.
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The...
7.9K