Brain-derived neurotrophic factor as a potential biomarker of cognitive recovery in schizophrenia

Abstract

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been proposed as a biomarker of schizophrenia and, more specifically, as a biomarker of cognitive recovery. Evidence collected in this review indicates that BDNF is relevant in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and could play a role as a marker of clinical response. BDNF has been shown to play a positive role as a marker in antipsychotic treatment, and it has been demonstrated that typical antipsychotics decrease BDNF levels while atypical antipsychotics maintain or increase serum BDNF levels. Furthermore, BDNF levels have been associated with severe cognitive impairments in patients with schizophrenia. Consequently, BDNF has been proposed as a candidate target of strategies to aid the cognitive recovery process. There is some evidence suggesting that BDNF could be mediating neurobiological processes underlying cognitive recovery. Thus, serum BDNF levels seem to be involved in some synaptic plasticity and neurotransmission processes. Additionally, serum BDNF levels significantly increased in schizophrenia subjects after neuroplasticity-based cognitive training. If positive replications of those findings are published in the future then serum BDNF levels could be definitely postulated as a peripheral biomarker for the effects of intensive cognitive training or any sort of cognitive recovery in schizophrenia. All in all, the current consideration of BDNF as a biomarker of cognitive recovery in schizophrenia is promising but still premature.© 2013 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.Key words: Schizophrenia; Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; Cognition; Biomarkers Core tip: The lack of diagnostic and treatment markers is one of the most important problems in clinical practice. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been proposed as a biomarker of schizophrenia and, more specifically, as a biomarker of cognitive recovery. Evidence collected in this review indicates that there is evidence suggesting that serum BDNF levels are involved in some synaptic plasticity processes. Additionally, serum BDNF levels significantly increased in schizophrenia subjects after neuroplasticity-based cog-

The search for new biomarkers for cognition in schizophrenia

“…A systemic and meta-analytical review reveals the existence of proinflammatory dysregulation in schizophrenia and suggests that numerous cytokines involved in these processes should be the focus of new research aimed at defining biological markers that can be used to measure disease progression ( Upthegrove et al, 2014 ). In this context, molecular genetics, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and structural and functional neuroimaging are attractive and promising fields in studies focused on biomarkers ( Oertel-Knöchel et al, 2011 , Penadés et al, 2013 ).…”

“…For example, its specificity to schizophrenia has not been demonstrated; decreased levels of BDNF have also been found in patients with neurodegenerative disorders and other neuropsychiatric ailments. Nevertheless, BDNF’s characterization as a biomarker for the cognitive dimension of schizophrenia appears to be a promising line of investigation, although more study and analysis on this relationship need to be performed ( Penadés et al, 2013 ). Choosing BDNF as an indicator of the cognitive dimension of schizophrenia, while tempting, remains premature.…”

Búsqueda De Nuevos Biomarcadores De La Cognición En Esquizofrenia

“…Por ejemplo, su especificidad para la esquizofrenia no ha sido demostrada, ya que se ha observado disminuciones de los niveles de BDNF también en pacientes con trastornos neurodegenerativos y con otros trastornos neuropsiquiátricos. Sin embargo, su carácter como biomarcador de la dimensión cognitiva en la esquizofrenia parece ser una línea de investigación prometedora aunque se necesitan muchos más estudios que confirmen y analicen en profundidad esta relación (Penadés et al, 2013). Por todo ello, la consideración del BDNF como un marcador de la dimensión cognitiva de la esquizofrenia es muy alentadora pero en el momento actual todavía prematura.…”

“…Una revisión sistemática y meta-análisis revela la existencia de una disregulación proinflamatoria en la esquizofrenia y sugiere que diversas citoquinas implicadas en estos procesos deben ser foco de atención para nuevas investigaciones con la finalidad de definir marcadores biológicos de progresión y avance del trastorno (Upthegrove et al, 2014). En este contexto, la genética molecular, el análisis de plasma y fluido cerebroespinal, y la neuroimagen estructural y funcional han sido consideradas como un campo atractivo y prometedor en la investigación centrada en biomarcadores (Oertel-Knöchel et al, 2011;Penadés et al, 2013).Una revisión reciente destaca que en la últimas décadas se han descrito genes candidatos y proteínas que presentarían las características necesarias para la definición de la naturaleza de los biomarcadores (Chana et al, 2013). Los autores describen que la relación entre la mayoría de los marcadores biológicos y la sintomatología que aparece en los trastornos psiquiátricos aún debe ser estudiada Schizophrenia Research: Cognition xxx (2015) xxx-xxx…”

“…Una revisión sistemática y meta-análisis revela la existencia de una disregulación proinflamatoria en la esquizofrenia y sugiere que diversas citoquinas implicadas en estos procesos deben ser foco de atención para nuevas investigaciones con la finalidad de definir marcadores biológicos de progresión y avance del trastorno (Upthegrove et al, 2014). En este contexto, la genética molecular, el análisis de plasma y fluido cerebroespinal, y la neuroimagen estructural y funcional han sido consideradas como un campo atractivo y prometedor en la investigación centrada en biomarcadores (Oertel-Knöchel et al, 2011;Penadés et al, 2013).…”