Association of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism with HPA and SAM axis reactivity to psychological and physical stress

作者：Tsuru Jusen; Tanaka Yoshihiro; Ishitobi Yoshinobu; Maruyama Yoshihiro; Inoue Ayako; Kawano Aimi; Ikeda Rie; Ando Tomoko; Oshita Harumi; Aizawa Saeko; Masuda Koji; Higuma Haruka; Kanehisa Masayuki; Ninomiya Taiga; Akiyoshi Jotaro^*

来源：Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 2014, 10: 2123-2133.

DOI：10.2147/NDT.S68629

• stress
• brain-derived neurotrophic factor
• cortisol
• saliva

Background: Decreased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is implicated in enhanced stress responses. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is associated with psychological changes; for example, carriers of the Met allele exhibit increased harm avoidance as well as a higher prevalence of depression and anxiety disorder.
Methods: To analyze the effects of BDNF Val66Met on stress responses, we tested 226 university students (88 women and 138 men) using a social stress procedure (Trier Social Stress Test [TSST]) and an electrical stimulation stress test. Stress indices were derived from repeated measurements of salivary alpha-amylase, salivary cortisol, heart rate, and psychological testing during the stress tests. All subjects were genotyped for the Val66Met polymorphism (G196A).
Results: A significant three-way interaction (time [3 levels] x BDNF [Val/Val, Val/Met, Met/Met]; P<0.05) was demonstrated that revealed different salivary cortisol responses in the TSST but not in electrical stimulation. Met/Met women had stronger cortisol responses than Val/Met and Val/Val individuals in the TSST. Met/Met men exhibited stronger salivary cortisol responses than Val/Met and Val/Val individuals in the TSST.
Conclusion: These results indicate that a common, functionally significant polymorphism in BDNF had different effects on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis reactivity but not on sympathetic adrenomedullary reactivity in TSST and electrical stimulation tests.

• 出版日期2014