An increase in plasma brain derived neurotrophic factor levels is related to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid efficacy in first episode schizophrenia: secondary outcome analysis of the OFFER randomized clinical trial

Abstract:Background:N-acetylaspartate (NAA) levels and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in patients with first-episode schizophrenia psychosis and age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects were investigated. In addition, plasma levels of homovanillic acid (HVA) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) were compared between the two groups.Method:Eighteen patients (nine males, nine females; age range: 13–52 years) were enrolled in the study, and 18 volunteers (nine males, nine females; age range: 15–49 years) with no current or past psychiatric history were also studied by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) as sex- and age-matched controls.Results:Levels of NAA/Cr in the left basal ganglia (p = 0.0065) and parieto-occipital lobe (p = 0.00498), but not in the frontal lobe, were significantly lower in patients with first-episode schizophrenia psychosis than in control subjects. No difference was observed between the serum BDNF levels of patients with first-episode schizophrenia psychosis and control subjects. In regard to the plasma levels of catecholamine metabolites, plasma MHPG, but not HVA, was significantly lower in the patients with first-episode psychosis than in control subjects. In addition, a significantly positive correlation was observed between the levels of NAA/Cr of the left basal ganglia and plasma MHPG in all subjects.Conclusions:These results suggest that brain NAA levels in the left basal ganglia and plasma MHPG levels were significantly reduced at the first episode of schizophrenia psychosis, indicating that neurodegeneration via noradrenergic neurons might be associated with the initial progression of the disease.

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Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation may prevent loss of gray matter thickness in the left parieto-occipital cortex in first episode schizophrenia: A secondary outcome analysis of the OFFER randomized controlled study

Schizophrenia Research ◽

10.1016/j.schres.2017.10.013 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 195 ◽

pp. 168-175 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Tomasz Pawełczyk ◽

Ewa Piątkowska-Janko ◽

Piotr Bogorodzki ◽

Piotr Gębski ◽

Marta Grancow-Grabka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Occipital Cortex ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Outcome Analysis ◽

First Episode ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Fatty Acid Supplementation ◽

Omega 3 Fatty Acid ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

First Episode Schizophrenia

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Effects of Music Aerobic Exercise on Depression and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in Community Dwelling Women

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2015/135893 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Shu-Hui Yeh ◽

Li-Wei Lin ◽

Yu Kuan Chuang ◽

Cheng-Ling Liu ◽

Lu-Jen Tsai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Aerobic Exercise ◽

Randomized Clinical Trial ◽

Neurotrophic Factor ◽

Comparison Group ◽

Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor ◽

Demographic Characteristics ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Middle Aged

A randomized clinical trial was utilized to compare the improvement of depression and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels between community women with and without music aerobic exercise (MAE) for 12 weeks. The MAE group involved 47 eligible participants, whereas the comparison group had 59 participants. No significant differences were recorded in the demographic characteristics between the participants in the MAE group and the comparison group. Forty-one participants in the MAE group and 26 in the comparison group completed a pre- and posttest. The MAE group displayed significant improvement in depression scores (p= 0.016), decreased depression symptoms in crying (p= 0.03), appetite (p= 0.006), and fatigue (p= 0.011). The BDNF levels of the participants significantly increased after the 12-week MAE (p= 0.042). The parallel comparison group revealed no significant changes in depression scores or BDNF levels. In summary, the 12-week MAE had a significant impact on the enhancement of BDNF levels and improvement of depression symptoms. Middle-aged community women are encouraged to exercise moderately to improve their depression symptoms and BDNF levels.

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The mediating effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels on childhood trauma and psychiatric symptoms in patients with first-episode schizophrenia

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/00048674211031478 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 000486742110314

Author(s):

Leilei Wang ◽

Yi Yin ◽

Yanfang Zhou ◽

Junchao Huang ◽

Ping Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Childhood Trauma ◽

Neurotrophic Factor ◽

Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor ◽

First Episode ◽

Emotional Neglect ◽

Childhood Trauma Questionnaire ◽

Syndrome Scale ◽

First Episode Schizophrenia ◽

Negative Syndrome ◽

The Relationship

Background: Previous studies have implicated childhood trauma and abnormal brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Here, we explored whether brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and psychopathological symptoms in patients with first-episode schizophrenia. Methods: Patients with first-episode schizophrenia ( n = 192) and healthy controls ( n = 136) were enrolled. Childhood traumatic experiences and psychopathology were assessed by Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, respectively. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantify brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels. Results: The patients with first-episode schizophrenia experienced more severe childhood trauma and had lower serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels than healthy controls. Emotional abuse and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire total score showed positive correlation with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale positive, general psychopathological subscore and total score. Emotional neglect showed positive correlation with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale positive subscore. Physical neglect was positively associated with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale negative subscore. Emotional neglect and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire total score were negatively correlated with serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels. The serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels mediated the relationship between both Childhood Trauma Questionnaire total score and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total score and negative symptoms in the patients. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels also mediated the relationship between emotional neglect and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total score in the patients. Conclusion: Childhood trauma might contribute to the clinical symptoms of schizophrenia by affecting brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels. Perhaps we can prevent schizophrenia by reducing childhood traumatic experiences.

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