Serum BDNF Concentrations Show Strong Seasonal Variation and Correlations with the Amount of Ambient Sunlight

Molendijk, Marc L.; Haffmans, Judith; Bus, Boudewijn A.A.; Spinhoven, Philip; Penninx, Brenda W. J. H.; Prickaerts, Jos; Voshaar, Richard C. Oude; Elzinga, Bernet M.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0048046

Cited by 81 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…A recent study showed seasonal variation in serum BDNF concentrations with increasing concentrations in the summer period (Molendijk et al, 2012). Irrespective of allocation month or season of allocation we did not observe differences in serum BDNF or VEGF concentrations in our study.…”

Section: Sample Characteristicscontrasting

confidence: 50%

Neurotrophic factors in depression in response to treatment

Buttenschøn

Foldager

Elfving

et al. 2015

Journal of Affective Disorders

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Section: Sample Characteristicscontrasting

confidence: 50%

Neurotrophic factors in depression in response to treatment

Buttenschøn

Foldager

Elfving

et al. 2015

Journal of Affective Disorders

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“…In contrast, the emerging seasonal pattern for dopamine brain concentration is characterized by higher levels in fall and lower levels in spring (47,48), that is, with a pattern reminiscent of the annual variations in executive brain response observed in our sample. Similarly, seasonal variation in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentration, a protein involved in learning and the regulation and plasticity of neuronal network, has been reported to undergo annual dynamics leading to higher circulating levels in the fall (49). Whether brain responses to learning tasks would have a similar annual pattern as the brain activity related to a working memory task remains to be investigated.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonality in human cognitive brain responses

Meyer

Muto

Jaspar

et al. 2016

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

105

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Daily variations in the environment have shaped life on Earth, with circadian cycles identified in most living organisms. Likewise, seasons correspond to annual environmental fluctuations to which organisms have adapted. However, little is known about seasonal variations in human brain physiology. We investigated annual rhythms of brain activity in a cross-sectional study of healthy young participants. They were maintained in an environment free of seasonal cues for 4.5 d, after which brain responses were assessed using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while they performed two different cognitive tasks. Brain responses to both tasks varied significantly across seasons, but the phase of these annual rhythms was strikingly different, speaking for a complex impact of season on human brain function. For the sustained attention task, the maximum and minimum responses were located around summer and winter solstices, respectively, whereas for the working memory task, maximum and minimum responses were observed around autumn and spring equinoxes. These findings reveal previously unappreciated process-specific seasonality in human cognitive brain function that could contribute to intraindividual cognitive changes at specific times of year and changes in affective control in vulnerable populations.aily variations in the environment have constrained life on Earth, with circadian cycles identified in most living organisms, including in human physiology and cognition (1, 2). Seasonal variations in the environment have also triggered annual adaptations that are observed in the majority of species (for a review, see ref. 1). However, seasonal variations may seem more limited in our species or they are at least less recognized (3). Seasonality has indeed been reported for several physiological aspects including blood pressure (4), cholesterol (5), or calorie intake (6), with higher levels seen in winter or fall for food intake. Recently, seasonal variation in expression levels of a large set of genes has been reported for human white blood cells and adipose tissue (7). Furthermore, seasonal variations have been observed in several behavioral dimensions with peaks occurring at different time of year depending on the variable considered: conception (winter/ spring peak) and death [winter peak (8)] or violent suicide [spring/ summer peak (9)]. Mood has been the most extensively studied aspect of human behavior, with a large portion of the general population undergoing seasonal deteriorations in mood in winter, but these do not reach clinical threshold [e.g., subsyndromal seasonal affective disorder: up to 18% in North America (10)]. Furthermore, sparse studies suggest that, in addition to mood, other cognitive brain functions show annual variations in healthy individuals, but results are not consistent (11-13).Animal research suggests that the suprachiasmatic nucleus, site of the master circadian clock, is at least one of the sites mediating annual rhythmicity (14). The well-characterized circadian genetic machinery is...

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“…Season might be a possible confounding factor in reduced brain serotonin turnover following selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor therapy [94] and influences the cortisol response to awakening [95]. Serum BDNF concentrations also show strong seasonal variations and correlations with the amount of ambient sunlight [96]. However, also physical activity is higher on long days (≥ 14 hours daylight) when compared with short days [97].…”

Section: Depression As a Matter Of Darknessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Mechanisms of Depression: Perspectives on New Treatment Strategies

Lang

Borgwardt²

2013

Cell Physiol Biochem

6,215

229

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Depression is a multicausal disorder and has been associated with the risk to develop cancer, dementia, diabetes, epilepsy and stroke. As a metabolic disorder depression has been associated with obesity, diabetes, insulin sensitivity, neuropeptide Y, glucose regulation, poor glycemic control, glucagone-like peptide-1, cholezystokinin, ghrelin, leptin, the endocannabinoid system, insulin-like growth factor and gastrin-releasing peptide. As a cardiovascular disease a close relationship exists between depression and blood pressure, heart rate, norepinephrine, sympathetic tone, vascular resistance, blood viscosity, plasma volume, intima thickness and atherosclerosis. Additionally blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, D-dimers, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 protein, platelet activation, VEGF, plasma nitric oxide and its synthase are changed in depressed patients. As an endocrinological and stress disorder depression has been connected with the concentration of free T₄, TSH, CRH, arginine vasopressin, corticotrophin, corticosteroid release and ACTH. Depression as an inflammatory disorder is mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1, interleukin-6, TNF-alpha, soluble interleukin-2 receptors, interferon-alpha, interleukin 8, interleukin-10, hs-CRP, acute phase proteins, haptoglobin, toll like receptor 4, interleukin-1beta, mammalian target of rapamycin pathway, substance P, cyclooxygenase-2, prostaglandin-E2, lipid peroxidation levels and acid sphingomyelinase. Nutritional factors might influence depression risk, i.e. the consumption of folate, omega-3 fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, olive oil, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. The neurodegenerative hypothesis of depression explains decreased hippocampal volumes in depressed patients and changes of neurotrophic support by BDNF, erythropoietin, GDNF, FGF-2, NT3, NGF and growth hormone. In this context, a fast neuroprotective and antidepressant effect has also been observed by ketamine, which acts via the glutamatergic system. Hence, GABA, AMPA, EAAT, NMDA- and metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR1 to mGluR8) have gained interest in depression recently. Alternative, causative or also easy available treatment strategies beyond serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibition might be a major topic of future psychiatric care. In this review, an attempt is made to overview concepts of the disease and search for perspectives on antidepressant treatment strategies beyond approved medications.

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Serum BDNF Concentrations Show Strong Seasonal Variation and Correlations with the Amount of Ambient Sunlight

Cited by 81 publications

References 53 publications

Neurotrophic factors in depression in response to treatment

Neurotrophic factors in depression in response to treatment

Seasonality in human cognitive brain responses

Molecular Mechanisms of Depression: Perspectives on New Treatment Strategies

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