Serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in acute and posttraumatic stress disorder: a case report study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to evaluate brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in two patients, one with posttraumatic stress disorder and one with acute stress disorder, before and after treatment, and to compare those levels to those of healthy controls.

METHOD:

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor level, Davidson Trauma Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Global Assessment of Functioning, and Clinical Global Impression were assessed before and after 6 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS:

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels were higher in patients than in matched controls before treatment. After 6 weeks, there was a reduction in symptoms and an improvement in functioning in both cases. At the same time, brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels decreased after treatment, even in case 2, treated with psychotherapy only.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results suggest that serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, as opposed to what has been described in mood disorders, are increased in posttraumatic stress disorder as well as in acute stress disorder.

• Authors: Simone Hauck, Fabiano Gomes, Erico de Moura Silveira Júnior, Ellen Almeida, Marianne Possa, Lúcia Helena Freitas Ceitlin
• Journal: Revista brasileira de psiquiatria (Sao Paulo, Brazil : 1999) (Braz J Psychiatry) Vol. 31 Issue 1 Pg. 48-51 (Mar 2009) ISSN: 1516-4446 [Print] Brazil
• PMID: 19506776 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor

Topics

• Biomarkers (blood)
• Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (blood)
• Case-Control Studies
• Female
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Psychotherapy
• Sex Offenses (psychology)
• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic (blood, therapy)
• Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute (blood, therapy)
• Young Adult