Research Progress of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Val66Met Gene Polymorphism in Schizophrenia

Abstract

Schizophrenia is now considered to be a severe mental disorder caused by complex geneenvironment interactions. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in the development, differentiation, and plasticity of neurons. The Val66Met polymorphism has been associated with impaired neurocognitive function in healthy adults and has been identified as a risk site for a range of neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. In this paper, the relationship between BDNFVal66Met polymorphism and schizophrenia is reviewed.