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ABSTRACT: Background
Decreased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is implicated in enhanced stress responses. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is associated with psychological changes; for example, carriers of the Met allele exhibit increased harm avoidance as well as a higher prevalence of depression and anxiety disorder.Methods
To analyze the effects of BDNF Val66Met on stress responses, we tested 226 university students (88 women and 138 men) using a social stress procedure (Trier Social Stress Test [TSST]) and an electrical stimulation stress test. Stress indices were derived from repeated measurements of salivary ?-amylase, salivary cortisol, heart rate, and psychological testing during the stress tests. All subjects were genotyped for the Val66Met polymorphism (G196A).Results
A significant three-way interaction (time [3 levels] × BDNF [Val/Val, Val/Met, Met/Met]; P<0.05) was demonstrated that revealed different salivary cortisol responses in the TSST but not in electrical stimulation. Met/Met women had stronger cortisol responses than Val/Met and Val/Val individuals in the TSST. Met/Met men exhibited stronger salivary cortisol responses than Val/Met and Val/Val individuals in the TSST.Conclusion
These results indicate that a common, functionally significant polymorphism in BDNF had different effects on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis reactivity but not on sympathetic adrenomedullary reactivity in TSST and electrical stimulation tests.
SUBMITTER: Tsuru J
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4234157 | biostudies-literature | 2014
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Tsuru Jusen J Tanaka Yoshihiro Y Ishitobi Yoshinobu Y Maruyama Yoshihiro Y Inoue Ayako A Kawano Aimi A Ikeda Rie R Ando Tomoko T Oshita Harumi H Aizawa Saeko S Masuda Koji K Higuma Haruka H Kanehisa Masayuki M Ninomiya Taiga T Akiyoshi Jotaro J
Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment 20141111
<h4>Background</h4>Decreased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is implicated in enhanced stress responses. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is associated with psychological changes; for example, carriers of the Met allele exhibit increased harm avoidance as well as a higher prevalence of depression and anxiety disorder.<h4>Methods</h4>To analyze the effects of BDNF Val66Met on stress responses, we tested 226 university students (88 women and 138 men) using a social stress proc ...[more]