Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) across pregnancy and postpartum: Associations with race, depressive symptoms, and low birth weight

Abstract

Background Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is implicated as a causal factor in major depression and is critical to placental development during pregnancy. Longitudinal data on BDNF across the perinatal period are lacking. These data are of interest given the potential implications for maternal mood and fetal growth, particularly among Black women who show ~2-fold greater risk for delivering low birth weight infants. Methods Serum BDNF, serum cortisol, and depressive symptoms (per CES-D) were assessed during each trimester and 4–11 weeks postpartum among 139 women (77 Black, 62 White). Low birth weight (<2500 g) was determined via medical record. Results Serum BDNF declined considerably from 1st through 3rd trimesters (ps ≤ 0.008) and subsequently increased at postpartum (p < 0.001). Black women exhibited significantly higher serum BDNF during the 1st trimester, 2nd trimester, and postpartum (ps ≤ 0.032) as well as lower serum cortisol during the 2nd and 3rd trimester (ps ≤ 0.01). Higher serum cortisol was concurrently associated with lower serum BDNF in the 2nd trimester only (p < 0.05). Controlling for race, serum BDNF at both the 2nd and 3rd trimester was negatively associated with 3rd trimester depressive symptoms (ps ≤ 0.02). In addition, women delivering low versus healthy weight infants showed significantly lower serum BDNF in the 3rd trimester (p = 0.004). Women delivering low versus healthy weight infants did not differ in depressive symptoms at any time point during pregnancy (ps ≥ 0.34). Conclusions Serum BDNF declines considerably across pregnancy in Black and White women, with overall higher levels in Blacks. Lower serum BDNF in late pregnancy corresponds with higher depressive symptoms and risk for low birth weight in Black and White women. However, the predictive value of serum BDNF in pregnancy is specific to within-race comparisons. Potential links between racial differences in serum BDNF and differential pregnancy-related cortisol adaptation require further investigation.

Pregnancy improves cognitive deficit and neuronal morphology atrophy in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of aging spontaneously hypertensive rats

“…Mayeur et al (, ) have hypothesized that neurotrophins regulate fetoplacental development. A recent report showed that serum BDNF levels are higher in the first trimester of the pregnancy and at the postpartum stage (Christian et al, ). During pregnancy, the serum BDNF levels declined dramatically from the first to the third trimesters of pregnancy and increased considerably during the postpartum stage (Christian et al, ).…”

“…A recent report showed that serum BDNF levels are higher in the first trimester of the pregnancy and at the postpartum stage (Christian et al, ). During pregnancy, the serum BDNF levels declined dramatically from the first to the third trimesters of pregnancy and increased considerably during the postpartum stage (Christian et al, ). In addition, several reports have suggested that BDNF regulated the dendritic spine formation or regression (for review see Bennett & Lagopoulos, ).…”

“…Interestingly, a recent report indicates that higher serum levels of BDNF have correlated with lower serum levels of cortisol a glucocorticoid (Christian et al, ). It is well known that stress and glucocorticoids levels regulate the dendritic morphology in the hippocampus and PFC (for review see McEwen, Nasca, & Gray, ).…”

Childhood stress and birth timing among African American women: Cortisol as biological mediator

“…Of additional importance is the fact that African American women are significantly more likely to show evidence of maternal stress in the context of PTB as well as pregnancy associated maternal cortisol patterns that differ significantly from white women (Christian et al, 2016; Glynn et al, 2007). As such, it is critical that studies assessing biological pathways to expedited birth be powered to examine effects among African American women.…”

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor effects on neural biomarkers of perinatal depression

“…Our understanding and use of biomarkers that reflect the pathophysiology of maternal depression remains limited. Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been proposed as a biomarker for perinatal depression (Christian et al 2016;Gao et al 2016) (Guintivano et al 2017). BDNF is a neurotrophin involved in neuroplasticity and implicated in the pathophysiology and treatment of mood disorders (Castren et al 2007): with lower serum BDNF levels being associated with depression (aan het Rot et al 2009).…”