Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) as a Predictor of Treatment Response in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): A Systematic Review

Abstract

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been studied as a biomarker of major depressive disorder (MDD). Besides diagnostic biomarkers, clinically useful biomarkers can inform response to treatment. We aimed to review all studies that sought to relate BDNF baseline levels, or BDNF polymorphisms, with response to treatment in MDD. In order to achieve this, we performed a systematic review of studies that explored the relation of BDNF with both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment. Finally, we reviewed the evidence that relates peripheral levels of BDNF and BDNF polymorphisms with the development and management of treatment-resistant depression.

Discovery of a Novel ASM Direct Inhibitor with a 1,5-Diphenyl-pyrazole Scaffold and Its Antidepressant Mechanism of Action

“…Treatment with compound 46 obviously reduced the levels of pro-apoptotic proteins caspase-3 and caspase-9 in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been proposed as a potential major depressive disorder biomarker. − Compared with the model group, administration of compound 46 (6, 12, and 24 mg/kg) resulted in a significant increase in the expression of BDNF, and they were similar to the positive drug (fluoxetine, 12 mg/kg). Combining these results, it was clearly indicated that treatment with compound 46 can efficiently downregulate neuronal apoptosis to maintain the normal state of the hippocampal neural circuit in CUMS mice.…”

Role of Glial Cells in Depression and Drug Addiction

“…The crucial role of hippocampal BDNF in mood regulation has been amply documented [18][19][20][21][22]. Thus, it has been confirmed that dysregulation or impairment in BDNF could precipitate MDD 3 [23] [24].…”

A Decade of Dedication: Pioneering Perspectives on Neurological Diseases and Mental Illnesses

“…The differences in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels during pharmacotherapy in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients, particularly between treatmentresponse and treatment-nonresponse groups, remain unclear [155][156][157]. Yoshimura et al studied changes in serum BDNF concentrations in first-episode, drug-naive MDD patients during antidepressant treatment and compared them to treatment-response and treatmentnonresponsive groups [88].…”