Serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in Sydenham’s chorea

Abstract

Sydenham's chorea (SC) is the neurologic manifestation of rheumatic fever. In addition to involuntary movements, SC patients show behavioral changes, such as hyperactivity, obsessions, and compulsions. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is related to neuronal development and differentiation. Since BDNF serum levels are altered in a series of neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and Huntington's disease, we investigated the serum levels of BDNF in SC patients. Eighteen patients with acute SC, 4 with persistent SC and 27 control subjects were included in this study. BDNF was determined by ELISA. There was no significant difference between BDNF serum levels of control and acute SC groups (P = 0.12). Persistent SC patients presented decreased BDNF levels when compared to both control and acute SC groups (P < 0.001). Our results suggest that the persistence of symptoms in SC may be related to structural changes in the central nervous system as expressed by altered BDNF levels.

NGF and nitrosative stress in patients with Huntington's disease

“…The results obtained here for BDNF and GDNF are similar to those reported in other published studies using various animal models and in human patients with HD [11] as well as in other brain disorders [12,13].…”

“…Similar conclusions have been reached by other authors, in HD, Sydenham's chorea and other neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Parkinson's disease and MSA), in which basal ganglia are usually affected [13][14][15]. Moreover, the changes observed here in peripheral neurotrophic-factor levels were similar to those reported in the nervous system in experimental studies and following autopsy [6].…”

“…Nineteen patients from the Neurology Departments at the Reina Sofía University Hospital in Cordoba (13) and the Valme Hospital in Seville (6) took part in this study. The diagnosis of HD was confirmed genetically by the Genetics Departments at the two hospitals.…”

BDNF concentration and impulsiveness level in post-traumatic stress disorder

“…Impaired cognition is an important feature of PTSD patients, even when compared to trauma-exposed subjects who do not develop PTSD (Qureshi et al, 2011). Interestingly, low levels of serum BDNF have been recently associated with cognitive deficits in other disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, neurodegenerative disorders and type 2 diabetes (Teixeira et al, 2010;Zhang et al, 2006aZhang et al, , 2006bZhen et al, 2013), while higher BDNF serum levels may predict slower cognitive decline (Laske et al, 2011). Although impulsive behavior may entail negative consequences, it may also represent an attempt to overcome the cognitive gridlock exerted by the presence of PTSD.…”

Psychopathological Impact in Patients with History of Rheumatic Fever with or without Sydenham’s Chorea: A Multicenter Prospective Study

“…With regards to SC prognosis, it typically improves gradually, with symptoms lasting from 12 to 15 weeks [ 27 ]. Although almost all patients achieve complete remission, with or without therapy, in several cases recurrence and persistence of symptoms have been reported even years after the initial bout [ 28 , 29 , 30 ]. In particular, neuropsychiatric symptoms are mainly reported in the acute phase of the disease, but there are a few studies that show them to precede or follow the acute disease onset, even by years [ 14 , 31 ].…”