Cerebral 5-HT2A Receptor and Serotonin Transporter Binding in Humans Are Not Affected by the val66met BDNF Polymorphism Status or Blood BDNF Levels

Recent studies have proposed an interrelation between the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) val66met polymorphism and the serotonin system. In this study, we investigated whether the BDNF val66met polymorphism or blood BDNF levels are associated with cerebral 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A (5-HT2A) receptor or serotonin transporter (SERT) binding in healthy subjects. No statistically significant differences in 5-HT2A receptor or SERT binding were found between the val/val and met carriers, nor were blood BDNF values associated with SERT binding or 5-HT2A receptor binding. In conclusion, val66met BDNF polymorphism status is not associated with changes in the serotonergic system. Moreover, BDNF levels in blood do not correlate with either 5-HT2A or SERT binding.