Mental disorders, functional impairment, and nerve growth factor

Abstract

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is an important member of the neurotrophin family and its alteration has been associated with psychiatric disorders. Functionality consists of the activities that an individual can perform, as well as their social participation, which is an important factor in analyzing the carrier living conditions of subjects with psychiatric suffering. Several studies have evaluated functionality in bipolar disorder; however, no studies have evaluated the functionality in other mental disorders. There are also few studies investigating the association between functionality and the biological bases of mental disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the serum NGF levels in psychiatric patients and to verify a possible association between the serum neurotrophic levels and functionality. This was a cross-sectional study with a convenient sample obtained from the Public Mental Health Service from the south of Brazil. The final sample was composed of 286 patients enrolled from July 2013 to October 2014. Data was collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, and the diagnosis was confirmed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I) and a Functioning Assessment Short Test. The serum NGF levels were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistic 21.0 software. NGF serum levels were increased significantly in patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder compared with patients with no obsessive–compulsive disorder (P=0.015). An increase in serum NGF levels in generalized anxiety disorder patients was observed compared with patients with no generalized anxiety disorder (P=0.047). NGF was negatively associated with autonomy (P=0.024, r=−0.136), work (P=0.040, r=−0.124), and cognition (P=0.024, r=−0.137), thereby showing that changes in serum levels of NGF are associated with functionality in mental disorders.

Peripheral Biomarkers in DSM-5 Anxiety Disorders: An Updated Overview

“…By contrast, significantly lower BDNF plasma levels in GAD patients vs. the HCs emerged in other reports [210,223,224]. Shen and colleagues observed higher baseline plasma BDNF levels in GAD patients vs. controls and a normalization after GAD remission (patients were treated with paroxetine) [225].…”

“…General anxiety disorder BDNF Plasma levels =vs. HCs, ↓ in females [220,221] No association with disorder severity [222] ↓ vs. HCs [210,223,224] ↑ vs. HCs, with normalization after remission [225] BDNF levels in the newborn's cord blood of women with GAD ↑ vs. HCs [226] NGF Serum levels =vs. HCs at baseline, ↑ after remission [227] GDNF Serum BDNF/GDNF levels ↓ vs. HCs [228] Panic disorders with or without agoraphobia BDNF Plasma levels =vs.…”

“…HCs, ↓ in females [221] ↓ in patients with a greater risk to develop panic symptoms [218] ↓ in patients with inadequate treatment response to CBT [229] NGF Serum levels =vs. HCs [223] GDNF Serum levels ↑ vs. HCs [213] Social anxiety disorder BDNF Plasma levels =vs. HCs, ↓ in females [221] GDNF Serum levels ↑ vs. HCs [213] Note: BDNF: brain derived neurotrophic factor; CBT: cognitive behavioral therapy; GAD: generalized anxiety disorder; GDNF: glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor; HCs: healthy controls; NGF: nerve growth factor; PDA: panic disorder with or without agoraphobia; NGF: nerve growth factor; SAD: social anxiety disorder; ↑: increased; ↓: decreased.…”

“…NGF: Salles and colleagues [223] investigated the possible correlation between NGF and mental disorders, showing no significant differences in serum NGF levels in PDA patients [223].…”

Light-mediated Reversible Modulation of the Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway during Cell Differentiation and <em>Xenopus</em> Embryonic Development

“…Growth factors are involved in a wide spectrum of cell functions, including proliferation, differentiation, migration, and apoptosis, and play pivotal roles in many biological events, including embryonic development, aging, and regulation of mental status 1,2,3,4,5 . Many growth factors signal through complex intracellular signaling cascades.…”