Association of BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism with HPA and SAM Axis Reactivity to Psychological and Physical Stress

Overview

Journal Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat

Publisher Dove Medical Press

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2014 Nov 25

PMID 25419135

Citations 9

Authors

Jusen Tsuru

Yoshihiro Tanaka

Yoshinobu Ishitobi

Yoshihiro Maruyama

Ayako Inoue

Aimi Kawano

Rie Ikeda

Tomoko Ando

Harumi Oshita

Saeko Aizawa

Koji Masuda

Haruka Higuma

Masayuki Kanehisa

Taiga Ninomiya

Jotaro Akiyoshi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

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 α-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.

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