RESUMEN
Objective: Unaffected relatives of bipolar disorder (BD) patients have been investigated for the identification of endophenotypes in an attempt to further elucidate the pathophysiology of the disease. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is considered to be implicated in the pathophysiology of BD, but its role as an endophenotype has been poorly studied. We investigated abnormal serum BDNF levels in BD patients, in their unaffected relatives, and in healthy controls. Methods: BDNF levels were obtained from 25 DSM-IV bipolar I disorder patients, 23 unaffected relatives, and 27 healthy controls. All BD patients were in remission. The unaffected subjects were first-degree relatives of the proband who had no lifetime DSM-IV diagnosis of axis I disorder. BDNF serum levels were determined by sandwich ELISA using monoclonal BDNF-specific antibodies. Results: There were no statistical differences in BDNF levels among BD patients, relatives, and healthy controls. Conclusion: Serum BDNF levels may not indicate high genetic risk for BD, possibly acting as state markers rather than trait markers of the disease.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Adulto , Adulto Joven , Trastorno Bipolar/sangre , Familia , Factor Neurotrófico Derivado del Encéfalo/sangre , Escalas de Valoración Psiquiátrica , Valores de Referencia , Trastorno Bipolar/genética , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Biomarcadores/sangre , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Factores de Riesgo , Análisis de Varianza , Endofenotipos/sangreRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Unaffected relatives of bipolar disorder (BD) patients have been investigated for the identification of endophenotypes in an attempt to further elucidate the pathophysiology of the disease. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is considered to be implicated in the pathophysiology of BD, but its role as an endophenotype has been poorly studied. We investigated abnormal serum BDNF levels in BD patients, in their unaffected relatives, and in healthy controls. METHODS: BDNF levels were obtained from 25 DSM-IV bipolar I disorder patients, 23 unaffected relatives, and 27 healthy controls. All BD patients were in remission. The unaffected subjects were first-degree relatives of the proband who had no lifetime DSM-IV diagnosis of axis I disorder. BDNF serum levels were determined by sandwich ELISA using monoclonal BDNF-specific antibodies. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in BDNF levels among BD patients, relatives, and healthy controls. CONCLUSION: Serum BDNF levels may not indicate high genetic risk for BD, possibly acting as state markers rather than trait markers of the disease.
Asunto(s)
Trastorno Bipolar/sangre , Factor Neurotrófico Derivado del Encéfalo/sangre , Familia , Adulto , Análisis de Varianza , Biomarcadores/sangre , Trastorno Bipolar/genética , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Endofenotipos/sangre , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Escalas de Valoración Psiquiátrica , Valores de Referencia , Factores de Riesgo , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Bipolar disorder (BD) is highly heritable. First-degree relatives of BD patient have an increased risk to develop the disease. We investigated abnormalities in gray matter (GM) volumes in healthy first-degree relatives of BD patients to identify possible brain structural endophenotypes for the disorder. 3D T1-weighted magnetic resonance images were obtained from 25 DSM-IV BD type I patients, 23 unaffected relatives, and 27 healthy controls (HC). A voxel-based morphometry protocol was used to compare differences in GM volumes between groups. BD patients presented reduced GM volumes bilaterally in the thalamus compared with HC. Relatives presented no global or regional GM differences compared with HC. Our negative results do not support the role of GM volume abnormalities as endophenotypes for BD. Thalamic volume abnormalities may be associated the pathophysiology of the disease.
