Reduced serum BDNF levels in patients with chronic schizophrenic disorder in relapse, who were treated with typical or atypical antipsychotics

• Published in: The world journal of biological psychiatry 2010-03, Vol.11 (2_2), p.251-255
• Main Authors: Rizos, Emmanouil N., Papadopoulou, Athanasia, Laskos, Efstathios, Michalopoulou, Panagiota G., Kastania, Anastasia, Vasilopoulos, Dimitrios, Katsafouros, Konstantinos, Lykouras, Lefteris
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Antipsychotic Agents - pharmacology; Antipsychotic Agents - therapeutic use; atypical antipsychotics; Benzodiazepines - pharmacology; Benzodiazepines - therapeutic use; Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor - blood; Case-Control Studies; Female; Haloperidol - pharmacology; Haloperidol - therapeutic use; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; olanzapine; Risperidone - pharmacology; Risperidone - therapeutic use; schizophrenia; Schizophrenia - blood; Schizophrenia - drug therapy; Sulpiride - analogs & derivatives; Sulpiride - pharmacology; Sulpiride - therapeutic use; Treatment Failure; typical antipsychotics
• ISSN: 1562-2975; 1814-1412
• DOI: 10.3109/15622970802182733

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor signals and dopaminergic function in the brain are strongly associated, and research on BDNF in schizophrenia may enhance our insights on the pathophysiological mechanisms of this disease. In the present study we aimed to investigate the possible association between serum BDNF levels and schizophrenic relapses and the possible differential effects of treatment with typical and atypical antipsychotics on serum BDNF levels in the same group of patients. We measured serum BDNF levels in 47 patients with schizophrenia during a relapse and again 6 weeks after administration of antipsychotic treatment (14 on risperidone, 18 on haloperidol, 10 on olanzapine and five on amisulpride) and in 44 healthy volunteers. Patients with schizophrenia showed reduced serum BDNF levels in relation to healthy volunteers at study entry. No significant differences were revealed in BDNF serum levels after 6 weeks of antipsychotic treatment in the patients compared to their own levels at study entry. However, serum BDNF was significantly increased in the subgroup receiving olanzapine compared to the other antipsychotics. Our findings may indicate a differential effect of olanzapine on BDNF levels compared to haloperidol, risperidone, and amisulpride.