Preliminary associations between brain-derived neurotrophic factor, memory impairment, functional cognition, and depressive symptoms following severe TBI

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Study evaluated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as a biomarker for post-traumatic brain injury (TBI) depressions (PTD), cognitive impairment, and functional cognitive limitations in the first year following severe TBI. One hundred thirteen participants with TBI were evaluated for PTD using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Cognitive impairment using a cognitive composite score targeting 4 domains of cognition (attention, language fluency, memory, and executive function) and functional cognition using the Functional Independence Measure-Cognition (FIM-Cog). BDNF levels were measured in cerebrospinal fluid and serum at 0 to 6 days postinjury and in serum at 6 and 12 months postinjury. Nine healthy adult controls were also recruited for comparison in biomarker analysis. Results showed serum BDNF was reduced after TBI versus controls at all time points. Acute serum BDNF positively correlated with memory composites and FIM-Cog scores. Acute serum BDNF negatively correlated with 12-month PHQ-9 scores. At 12 months, chronic serum BDNF tended to be lower in participants with PTD and correlated with PHQ-9 scores. Acute BDNF associations with memory recovery may implicate hippocampal damage/degeneration. Comparatively, BDNF associations with PTD status were not as strong as associations with PTD severity. Further investigation may delineate longitudinal BDNF patterns, and BDNF responsive treatments, reflecting mood and cognitive recovery following TBI.

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