scholarly journals Serum Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Other Neurotrophins in Elite Athletes: Potential Markers of the Use of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Sport

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Donati ◽  
Veronica Sian ◽  
Giorgia Morgan Biasini ◽  
Xavier de la Torre ◽  
Fabrizia Folchitto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Direct Current ◽  
Brain Stimulation ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation that may enhance mental and physical performance in sports, representing a potential new form of doping (“brain doping” or “electromagnetic doping”). This study aims to identify diagnostic biomarkers for detecting the possible abuse of tDCS in sport. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and other neurotrophins (NT, such as beta nerve growth factor, NGF) were pre-selected as potential candidates since their serum values have been observed to change following tDCS. Neurotrophins were measured using ELISA assays in 92 serum samples collected from elite athletes, classified by sex (males = 74; females = 18), age (range 17–25 n = 27, 26–35 n = 36, and over 35 n = 14; age not known n = 15), type of sports practiced (endurance n = 74; power n = 18), and type of sample collection (“in competition” n = 24; “out of competition” n = 68). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs6265, rs11030099, and rs11030100) were genotyped on 88 samples to determine their influence on the analytes' basal levels. Athletes older than 35 presented higher BDNF values than younger individuals (p < 0.05). Samples collected “in competition” showed higher BDNF concentrations than those collected “out of competition” (p < 0.05). The studied polymorphisms appeared to affect only on proBDNF, not altering BDNF serum concentrations. NT-3 and NT-4 were poorly detectable in serum. Our results suggest that BDNF can be considered as a first biomarker to detect the abuse of tDCS in sport doping. Further studies are necessary to assess whether proBDNF and beta NGF can also be considered suitable biomarkers to detect the recourse to electromagnetic brain stimulation in sports, especially in the case their serum levels can be monitored longitudinally. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study aimed to pre-select serum biomarkers to identify the use of tDCS, and represents the first step toward the development of an indirect strategy, preferably based on the longitudinal monitoring of individual data, for the future detection of “brain doping” in sports.

scholarly journals Frontotemporal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Decreases Serum Mature Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Schizophrenia

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 662
Author(s):  
Ondine Adam ◽  
Marion Psomiades ◽  
Romain Rey ◽  
Nathalie Mandairon ◽  
Marie-Francoise Suaud-Chagny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Direct Current ◽  
Neural Plasticity ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Temporoparietal Junction ◽  
Auditory Verbal Hallucinations ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Before And After

Although transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) shows promise as a treatment for auditory verbal hallucinations in patients with schizophrenia, mechanisms through which tDCS may induce beneficial effects remain unclear. Evidence points to the involvement of neuronal plasticity mechanisms that are underpinned, amongst others, by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in its two main forms: pro and mature peptides. Here, we aimed to investigate whether tDCS modulates neural plasticity by measuring the acute effects of tDCS on peripheral mature BDNF levels in patients with schizophrenia. Blood samples were collected in 24 patients with schizophrenia before and after they received a single session of either active (20 min, 2 mA, n = 13) or sham (n = 11) frontotemporal tDCS with the anode over the left prefrontal cortex and the cathode over the left temporoparietal junction. We compared the tDCS-induced changes in serum mature BDNF (mBDNF) levels adjusted for baseline values between the two groups. The results showed that active tDCS was associated with a significantly larger decrease in mBDNF levels (mean −20% ± standard deviation 14) than sham tDCS (−8% ± 21) (F = 5.387; p = 0.030; η2 = 0.205). Thus, mature BDNF may be involved in the beneficial effects of frontotemporal tDCS observed in patients with schizophrenia.

Prefrontal Cortex Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Treatment in Alcohol Dependence Syndrome (PreCoTTA): Study Protocol for a Double-Blind Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anagha S. Deshmukh ◽  
Samir Kumar Praharaj ◽  
Shweta Rai ◽  
Asha Kamath ◽  
Dinesh Upadhya
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Alcohol Dependence ◽  
Direct Current ◽  
Brain Stimulation ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Comprehensive Treatment ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Alcohol Dependence Syndrome

Background: Alcohol dependence is a significant public health problem, contributing to the global health burden. Due to its immense socio-economic burden, various psychosocial, psychological, and pharmacological approaches have attempted to alter the behaviour of the patient misusing or abusing alcohol, but their efficacy is modest at best. Therefore, there is a search for newer treatment approaches, including noninvasive brain stimulation in the management of alcohol dependence. We plan to study the efficacy of Prefrontal Cortex Transcranial direct current stimulation Treatment in Alcohol dependence syndrome (PreCoTTA). Methods: Two hundred twenty-five male patients with alcohol dependence syndrome will be randomized into the three study arms (2 active, left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left orbitofrontal cortex, and 1 sham) to receive a total of 14 tDCS sessions (10 continuous and 4 booster sessions). Data will be collected from them at five different time points on clinical, neuropsychological and biochemical parameters. In addition, 225 healthy age and education matched controls will be administered the neuropsychological test battery at baseline for comparison with the patient group. Discussion: The proposed study aims to explore the use of non-invasive brain stimulation; tDCS as a treatment alternative. We also aim to overcome the methodological gaps of limited sample sizes, fewer tDCS intervention sessions, lack of long term follow ups to measure the sustainability of gains and lack comprehensive measures to track changes in functioning and abstinence after tDCS intervention. The main outcomes include clinical (reduction in cue-induced craving, time to first drink and QFI); neuropsychological (risk-taking, impulsivity, and other neuropsychological domains) and biochemical markers (BDNF, leptin and adiponectin). The findings of the study will have translational value as it may help to improve the clinician’s ability to effectively manage craving in patients with alcohol dependence syndrome. Furthermore, we will have a better understanding of the neuropsychological and biochemical effects of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques which are of interest in the comprehensive treatment of addiction disorders. Trial registration: The study has been registered with the Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI/2020/09/027582) on September 03rd 2020.

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