Effects of BDNF polymorphisms on brain function and behavior in health and disease

No gene-by-environment interaction of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and childhood maltreatment on anxiety sensitivity in a mixed race adolescent sample

“…These findings suggest that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism does not have a direct effect on AS. This finding is in line with studies that have found no significant direct association between BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and personality traits such as neuroticism or harm avoidance and anxiety disorders or mood disorders, including OCD, panic disorder, PTSD and depression (Arias et al, 2012; Chen et al, 2013; Frustaci et al, 2008; Hong et al, 2012; Minelli et al, 2011; Surtees et al, 2007; Terracciano et al, 2010), despite some studies reporting such associations (Frustaci et al, 2008; Lang et al, 2005; Min et al, 2013; Montag et al, 2010; Sen et al, 2003; Terracciano et al, 2010). Firstly, the grouping of Met66 allele carriers (i.e.…”

“…Met66Met and Val66Met genotypes), as is frequently carried out in studies in which the rate of the Met66Met genotype is relatively low, such as in Caucasian samples (Gatt et al, 2009; Lehto, Maestu, Kiive, Veidebaum, & Harro, 2016; Nedic et al, 2013; Pivac et al, 2009), may introduce a bias in which a main effect of genotype is not detected due to the exclusion of the Met66Met genotype in analyses (Notaras et al, 2015). Secondly, the Val66Met and Met66Met genotypes, respectively, may have dissimilar effects (Hong et al, 2012). Nevertheless, the main effect of CM on AS determined in this study provides support for the positive association between CM, including stressful life events, and AS in adolescents (McLaughlin & Hatzenbuehler, 2009; Tollenaar, Molendijk, Penninx, Milaneschi, & Antypa, 2017), a well-established cognitive risk factor for the development of anxiety disorders and associated symptoms in youth (Hishinuma et al, 2001; McLaughlin et al, 2007; Muris et al, 2001).…”

“…Apart from the possible confounding effects of age and gender, discrepant results across studies may in part be due to population-driven differences in BDNF Val66Met frequencies, given that the Met66 allele has consistently been found to be more common in Asian populations than in Caucasian populations (Chen et al, 2013; Petryshen et al, 2009). A further confounding factor may include phenotype heterogeneity and methodological (assessment) differences (Hong et al, 2012). …”

“…Compared with the Val66 allele, the Met66 allele is associated with a decrease in activity-dependent secretion of BDNF (Egan et al, 2003). BDNF has received attention due to its evident role in anxiety and mood disorders (Angelucci et al, 2014; Hemmings et al, 2008; Li, Chang, & Xiao, 2016; Martinowich et al, 2007; Molendijk et al, 2014; Suliman, Hemmings, & Seedat, 2013), although findings have been inconsistent across studies (Frustaci, Pozzi, Gianfagna, Manzoli, & Boccia, 2008; Hong, Liou, & Tsai, 2012; Lam, Cheng, Hong, & Tsai, 2004; Minelli et al, 2011; Notaras et al, 2015; Surtees et al, 2007; Wang et al, 2015). …”

Hippocampal Hyperexcitability Underlies Enhanced Fear Memories in TgNTRK3, a Panic Disorder Mouse Model

“…Reported NTRK3 genetic variations are predicted to change TrkC mRNA expression levels Armengol et al, 2002;Muiños-Gimeno et al, 2009) and alter synaptic plasticity through a change of local trophic support. Indeed, neurotrophins regulate synaptic function and plasticity (for review, see McAllister et al, 1999;Huang and Reichardt, 2001) and may thus be involved in CNS dysfunction (Minichiello et al, 1999;Otnaess et al, 2009;Hong et al, 2011).…”