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Updated: Aug 10, 2025
Real-time Imaging of Axonal Transport of Quantum Dot-labeled BDNF in Primary Neurons
Published on: September 15, 2014
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neuroimaging in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease
Asmaa A Mahmoud1, Sameh A Abd El Naby2, Ahmed S Abdelgawad3
1Department of Pediatrics-Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin Elkom, Egypt. asmaasoliman50@gmail.com.
Background:
The risk of neurological complications is increased in children with sickle cell disease (SCD), such as silent cerebral infarction (SCI) and stroke. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a nerve growth factor associated with elevated transcranial Doppler (TCD) velocities and increased risk of stroke in SCD patients. So, we assessed the BDNF level in children with SCD and its relation to neurological complication as silent stroke.
Methods:
A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 40 patients with SCD, recruited from the Hematology Unit, Pediatric Department, Menoufia University Hospital, and 40 healthy children as controls. Laboratory investigations including BDNF were done. TCD was done for all patients and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was done on high-risk patients.
Results:
BDNF levels were significantly higher in children with SCD than in controls with a significant relation to TCD findings. There was a statistically significant diagnostic ability of BDNF in the prediction of SCD complications as its sensitivity was 89.5%, specificity (95% CI) was 80% with a cut-off point >0.69, AUC = 0.702, and p = 0.004).
Conclusion:
Serum BDNF levels were higher in sickle disease patients who had abnormal transcranial Doppler. BDNF had a significant diagnostic ability in the detection of SCD complications.
Impact:
Silent stroke is a very serious complication in children with sickle cell disease, so regular follow up should be every six months. BDNF is considered a potential biomarker for stroke risk prediction in patients unable to receive TCD.
