scholarly journals Serum Brain–Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Levels Are Associated With Risk of Stroke and Vascular Brain Injury

Stroke ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (10) ◽  
pp. 2768-2775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Pikula ◽  
Alexa S. Beiser ◽  
Tai C. Chen ◽  
Sarah R. Preis ◽  
Demetrios Vorgias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Brain Mri ◽  
White Matter Hyperintensity ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Serum Bdnf

Background and Purpose— Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a major neurotrophin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have a documented role in neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and neuronal survival. In animal experiments, they impact infarct size and functional motor recovery after an ischemic brain lesion. We sought to examine the association of serum BDNF and VEGF with the risk of clinical stroke or subclinical vascular brain injury in a community-based sample. Methods— In 3440 Framingham Study participants (mean age, 65±11 years; 56% women) who were free of stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), we related baseline BDNF and logVEGF to risk of incident stroke/TIA. In a subsample with brain MRI and with neuropsychological tests available (n=1863 and 2104, respectively; mean age, 61±9 years, 55% women, in each), we related baseline BDNF and logVEGF to log-white matter hyperintensity volume on brain MRI, and to visuospatial memory and executive function tests. Results— During a median follow-up of 10 years, 193 participants experienced incident stroke/TIA. In multivariable analyses adjusted for age, sex, and traditional stroke risk factors, lower BDNF and higher logVEGF levels were associated with an increased risk of incident stroke/TIA (hazard ratio comparing BDNF Q1 versus Q2–Q4, 1.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.09–2.00; P =0.012 and hazard ratio/SD increase in logVEGF, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.40; P =0.012). Persons with higher BDNF levels had less log-white matter hyperintensity volume (β±SE=−0.05±0.02; P =0.025), and better visual memory (β±SE=0.18±0.07; P =0.005). Conclusions— Lower serum BDNF and higher VEGF concentrations were associated with increased risk of incident stroke/TIA. Higher levels of BDNF were also associated with less white matter hyperintensity and better visual memory. Our findings suggest that circulating BDNF and VEGF levels modify risk of clinical and subclinical vascular brain injury.

scholarly journals Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Quetiapine Treated First-Episode Psychosis

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brendan P. Murphy ◽  
Terence Y. Pang ◽  
Anthony J. Hannan ◽  
Tina-Marie Proffitt ◽  
Mirabel McConchie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Episode Psychosis ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Serum Bdnf

Objective. It has been suggested that atypical antipsychotics confer their effects via brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). We investigated the effect of quetiapine on serum levels of BDNF and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in drug-naive first-episode psychosis subjects.Methods. Fifteen patients drawn from a larger study received quetiapine treatment for twelve weeks. Baseline levels of serum BDNF and VEGF were compared to age- and sex-matched healthy controls and to levels following treatment. Linear regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship of BDNF and VEGF levels with outcome measures at baseline and week 12.Results. The mean serum BDNF level was significantly higher at week 12 compared to baseline and correlated with reductions in Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and general psychopathology scores. Changes in serum VEGF levels also correlated significantly with a reduction in BPRS scores, a significant improvement in PANNS positive symptoms scores, and displayed a positive relationship with changes in BDNF levels.Conclusions. Our findings suggest that BDNF and VEGF are potential biomarkers for gauging improvement of psychotic symptoms. This suggests a novel neurotrophic-based mechanism of the drug effects of quetiapine on psychosis. This is the first report of VEGF perturbation in psychosis.

scholarly journals Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Increases Neurogenesis after Traumatic Brain Injury

2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 1008-1016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orli Thau-Zuchman ◽  
Esther Shohami ◽  
Alexander G Alexandrovich ◽  
Ronen R Leker
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Proliferating Cells ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Neurologic Disorders ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

Activation of endogenous stem cells has been proposed as a novel form of therapy in a variety of neurologic disorders including traumatic brain injury (TBI). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is expressed in the brain after TBI and serves as a potent activator of angiogenesis and neurogenesis. In this study, we infused exogenous VEGF into the lateral ventricles of mice for 7 days after TBI using mini-osmotic pumps to evaluate the effects on recovery and functional outcome. The results of our study show that VEGF significantly increases the number of proliferating cells in the subventricular zone and in the perilesion cortex. Fate analysis showed that most newborn cells differentiated into astrocytes and oligodendroglia and only a few cells differentiated into neurons. Functional outcome was significantly better in mice treated with VEGF compared with vehicle-treated animals after TBI. Injury size was significantly smaller at 90 days after TBI in VEGF-treated animals, suggesting additional neuroprotective effects of VEGF. In conclusion, VEGF significantly augments neurogenesis and angiogenesis and reduces lesion volumes after TBI. These changes are associated with significant improvement in recovery rates and functional outcome.

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