The Val66Met polymorphism of the brain-derived neurotrophic-factor gene is associated with geriatric depression

Jen Ping Hwang*, Shih Jen Tsai, Chen Jee Hong, Chen Hong Yang, Jiing Feng Lirng, Ya Min Yang

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

223 Scopus citations

Abstract

Brain-derived neurotrophic-factor (BDNF), the most abundant of the neurotrophins in the brain, has been implicated in both major depression and cognitive function. This study examines the association between the BDNF-gene Val66Met polymorphism and depression susceptibility and severity, age-of-onset, cognitive function and suicidal attempt history in an elderly Chinese sample population. We genotyped the BDNF-gene Val66Met polymorphism in 110 elderly inpatients diagnosed with major depression and 171 age- and sex-similar control subjects. All patients were assessed with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) for depression severity and the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) for cognitive function after admission. Suicide attempt history and age-of-onset of depression were evaluated by interview and medical record. The BDNF Val66Met genotype distribution was significantly different between depressed patients and control subjects (P = 0.003) and there was a significant excess of Met allele in the depressed patients compared to the control group (P = 0.001). The BDNF polymorphism did not affect age-of-onset, depression severity, cognitive function or suicidal attempt history. The results suggest that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is a relevant risk factor for geriatric depression.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1834-1837
Number of pages4
JournalNeurobiology of Aging
Volume27
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2006

Keywords

  • Age-of-onset
  • Brain-derived neurotrophic-factor
  • Cognition
  • Geriatric depression
  • Polymorphism
  • Suicide

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