Plasma Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Psychopathology in Attempted Suicide

Abstract

Background/Aims: Increasing evidence suggests a link between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and suicidal behaviour (SB). Furthermore, decreased peripheral BDNF levels have been associated with clinical symptoms in various psychiatric disorders as well as with personality dimensions in healthy individuals. However, the relationship between BDNF and psychopathology is poorly investigated regarding SB. Methods: Plasma BDNF concentrations were analysed in 61 recent suicide attempters. Clinical symptoms were evaluated using the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale. Personality dimensions were assessed using the Marke-Nyman Temperament Scale. Results: Plasma BDNF correlated positively and significantly with the personality dimension Solidity but not with the other personality dimensions or with clinical symptoms. Conclusion: BDNF plays an important role in the regulation of neuroplasticity and neurogenesis in humans. Our results indicate that lower BDNF concentrations are associated with higher levels of impulsiveness and changeability (low scores on the Solidity scale). Furthermore, low plasma BDNF levels may be proposed as a trait marker rather than a state marker for attempted suicide.

The effects of BDNF rs6265 and FGF21 rs11665896 polymorphisms on alcohol use disorder-related impulsivity in Han Chinese adults

“…BDNF rs6265 A allele and FGF21 rs11665896 T allele caused the production of mature protein (BNNF and FGF21) to decrease ( 30 , 38 ). In a sample of individuals who had attempted suicide ( 39 ) and in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder patients ( 40 ), low blood BDNF concentrations were associated with high levels of impulsivity. Low FGF21 levels in the cerebrospinal fluid led to impulsivity ( 29 ).…”

Time Geography, a Method in Psychiatric Nursing Care

“…It contains memories stored episodically, which means that they originate from different events, for example, from different times, places, associated emotions, and other conception-based knowledge (Conway & Bekerian, 1987). Suicidal individuals, especially, seem to have inaccurate autobiographical memories related to their use of maladaptive coping strategies (Pollock & Williams, 2004;Evans, Williams, Schotte & Clum, 1987;Linehan, et al, 1987;Orbach et al, 1990;Ambrus et al, 2016;Ambrus et al, 2020). People suffering from dementia have often lost their spatial orientation, but by focusing on specific activities related to places, their memories are activated.…”

Suicide Reduction in Schizophrenia via Exercise (SUnRISE): study protocol for a multi-site, single-blind, randomized clinical trial of aerobic exercise for suicide risk reduction in individuals with schizophrenia

“…Studies assessing individuals who have previously attempted suicide indicate both lower levels of serum and plasma BDNF compared to nonattempters [36][37][38][39]. However, a few studies have demonstrated no difference in serum BDNF levels between suicide attempters vs. non-attempters, nor correlations between plasma BDNF and clinical symptoms [40][41][42][43]. To date, the only study that examined BDNF and suicidality in SZ found no difference in serum BDNF levels between suicide attempters and non-attempters [44].…”