BDNF in sleep, insomnia, and sleep deprivation

Abstract

The protein brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin family of growth factors involved in plasticity of neurons in several brain regions. There are numerous evidence that BDNF expression is decreased by experiencing psychological stress and that, accordingly, a lack of neurotrophic support causes major depression. Furthermore, disruption in sleep homeostatic processes results in higher stress vulnerability and is often associated with stress-related mental disorders. Recently, we reported, for the first time, a relationship between BDNF and insomnia and sleep deprivation (SD). Using a biphasic stress model as explanation approach, we discuss here the hypothesis that chronic stress might induce a deregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system. In the long-term it leads to sleep disturbance and depression as well as decreased BDNF levels, whereas acute stress like SD can be used as therapeutic intervention in some insomniac or depressed patients as compensatory process to normalize BDNF levels. Indeed, partial SD (PSD) induced a fast increase in BDNF serum levels within hours after PSD which is similar to effects seen after ketamine infusion, another fast-acting antidepressant intervention, while traditional antidepressants are characterized by a major delay until treatment response as well as delayed BDNF level increase. Key messages Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a key role in the pathophysiology of stress-related mood disorders. The interplay of stress and sleep impacts on BDNF level. Partial sleep deprivation (PSD) shows a fast action on BDNF level increase.

Effects of β-alanine supplementation on physical performance, cognition, endocrine function, and inflammation during a 24 h simulated military operation

“…In the present study, BDNF concentrations were elevated from 0H to 12H, and continued to stay elevated at 24H. Previous research has shown that chronic periods of stress, sleep disturbance, and military training lead to a downregulation of BDNF expression (Suzuki et al 2014), however acute periods of stress (e.g., sleep deprivation, caloric deficit, and physical exertion) may increase the BDNF response (Gronli et al 2013;Huang et al 2014;Schmitt et al 2016). BDNF plays an essential role in cognitive function and memory (Erickson et al 2010), and transient increases in BDNF may explain the maintenance of some aspects of cognitive function during the SUSOP.…”

The key role of insomnia and sleep loss in the dysregulation of multiple systems involved in mood disorders: A proposed model

“…These authors hypothesized a mediating role in the link between stress experience and serum BDNF levels in these individuals (Giese et al., , ). These findings, obtained from clinical samples, are supported by experimental studies showing reduced BDNF levels in subjects with prolonged sleep deprivation (Meerlo et al., ; Schmitt, Holsboer‐Trachsler, & Eckert, ). Meerlo et al.…”

Serum brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in sleep‐disordered patients: relation to sleep stage N3 and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep across diagnostic entities

“…Taken together, our data indicate that low sleep stage N3 and REM sleep, independent of a specific sleep disorder, are related to low BDNF. These findings extend the increasingly acknowledged impact of an interplay between stress and sleep on BDNF levels (Schmitt et al ., ).…”