Brain–Heart Axis: Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Cardiovascular Disease—A Review of Systematic Reviews

Abstract

Background: The brain–heart axis is an intra- and bidirectional complex that links central nervous system dysfunction and cardiac dysfunction. In recent decades, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has emerged as a strategic molecule involved in both brain and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This systematic review of systematic reviews aimed to (1) identify and summarize the evidence for the BDNF genotype and BDNF concentration in CVD risk assessment, (2) evaluate the evidence for the use of BDNF as a biomarker of CVD recovery, and (3) evaluate rehabilitation approaches that can restore BDNF concentration. Methods: A comprehensive search strategy was developed using PRISMA. The risk of bias was assessed via ROBIS. Results: Seven studies were identified, most of which aimed to evaluate the role of BDNF in stroke patients. Only two systematic reviews examined the association of BDNF concentration and polymorphism in CVDs other than stroke. Conclusions: The overall evidence showed that BDNF plays a fundamental role in assessing the risk of CVD occurrence, because lower BDNF concentrations and rs6265 polymorphism are often associated with CVD. Nevertheless, much work remains to be carried out in current research to investigate how BDNF is modulated in different cardiovascular diseases and in different populations.

A Set of Possible Markers for Monitoring Heart Failure and Cognitive Impairment Associated: A Review of Literature from the Past 5 Years

“…In a most recent study, Wang et al [44] analyzed the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) deficiency on the human population, including 50 patients with HF-CI. BDNF is a protein related to cognitive impairment because it regulates synaptic plasticity and excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission [45][46][47]. Tissue hypoxia, oxidative stress, and inflammation can produce a decrease in BDNF [48,49], which is also considered a fundamental pathological process of HF.…”

“…In addition, since biochemical biomarkers are the result of the expression of genetic biomarkers, much research has been carried out in this regard for the purpose of guidance on the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases [51,52], drug therapy [53,54], to investigate tissue analysis and biochemical biomarkers [55][56][57], and heart-brain correlation itself [47].…”