Dataset Information

The Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) gene Val66Met (rs6265) polymorphism and stress among preclinical medical students in Malaysia.

ABSTRACT: Objective:This study aimed to determine the allelic and genotypic association of the Val66Met (rs6265) polymorphism in the BDNF gene with stress levels in preclinical medical students of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Terengganu, Malaysia. Methods:In this cross-sectional study, we recruited all 122 preclinical medical students. The validated depression anxiety stress scales-21 (DASS-21) questionnaire was distributed and blood samples were collected from each subject for DNA extraction. Genotyping analysis of the BDNF gene (Val66Met) polymorphism was performed via an optimised polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Results:A total of 105 subjects agreed to participate in this study. Indian students were found to more likely have the Val/Val genotype, whereas Malay students were more likely to have the Met/Met genotype (p = 0.027). Individuals carrying any one of the three BDNF genotypes (Val/Val, Val/Met and Met/Met) differed significantly from each other in terms of their perception of stress (p = 0.010); students carrying the Val/Val genotype (M = 10.6) perceived significantly lower stress than students carrying the Val/Met (M = 14) and Met/Met (M = 15.1) genotypes. Conclusion:In our study, the Met-allele was associated with higher stress levels. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study investigating this stress-related gene in medical students. The findings from this study should trigger more investigators to focus on the impact of stress on genetically predisposed medical students.

SUBMITTER: Al-Hatamleh MAI

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6838909 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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The Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor <i>(BDNF)</i> gene Val66Met (rs6265) polymorphism and stress among preclinical medical students in Malaysia.

Al-Hatamleh Mohammad A I MAI Hussin Tengku M A R TMAR Taib Wan R W WRW Ismail Imilia I

Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences 20191012 5

<h4>Objective</h4>This study aimed to determine the allelic and genotypic association of the Val66Met (rs6265) polymorphism in the <i>BDNF</i> gene with stress levels in preclinical medical students of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Terengganu, Malaysia.<h4>Methods</h4>In this cross-sectional study, we recruited all 122 preclinical medical students. The validated depression anxiety stress scales-21 (DASS-21) questionnaire was distributed and blood samples were collected from each subj ...[more]

PMID: 31728141

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Project description:The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between genetic markers of central serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine function, and risk for post-treatment relapse, in a sample of alcohol-dependent patients.The study included 154 patients from addiction treatment programs in Poland, who met DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence. After assessing demographics, severity of alcohol use, suicidality, impulsivity, depression, hopelessness, and severity of alcohol use at baseline, patients were followed for approximately 1 year to evaluate treatment outcomes. Genetic polymorphisms in several genes (TPH2, SLC6A4, HTR1A, HTR2A, COMT, and BDNF) were tested as predictors of relapse (defined as any drinking during follow-up) while controlling for baseline measures.Of 154 eligible patients, 123 (80%) completed follow-up and 48% (n = 59) of these individuals relapsed. Patients with the Val allele in the Val66Met BDNF polymorphism and the Met allele in the Val158Met COMT polymorphism were more likely to relapse. Only the BDNF Val/Val genotype predicted post-treatment relapse [odds ratio (OR) = 2.62; p = 0.019], and time to relapse (OR = 2.57; p = 0.002), after adjusting for baseline measures and other significant genetic markers. When the analysis was restricted to patients with a family history of alcohol dependence (n = 73), the associations between the BDNF Val/Val genotype and relapse (OR = 5.76, p = 0.0045) and time to relapse (hazard ratio = 4.93, p = 0.001) were even stronger.The Val66Met BDNF gene polymorphism was associated with a higher risk and earlier occurrence of relapse among patients treated for alcohol dependence. The study suggests a relationship between genetic markers and treatment outcomes in alcohol dependence. Because a large number of statistical tests were conducted for this study and the literature on genetics and relapse is so novel, the results should be considered as hypothesis generating and need to be replicated in independent studies.

Dataset Information

The Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) gene Val66Met (rs6265) polymorphism and stress among preclinical medical students in Malaysia.

Publications

The Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor <i>(BDNF)</i> gene Val66Met (rs6265) polymorphism and stress among preclinical medical students in Malaysia.

Similar Datasets

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