RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophin involved in neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity, has been implicated in the pathophysiology of several neuropsychiatric disorders. However, there have been no consistent findings regarding BDNF levels in panic disorder. In this study, we investigated plasma BDNF levels in panic disorder, and evaluated whether there is an association between plasma BDNF levels and severity of symptoms of panic disorder. METHODS: Plasma BDNF levels were measured in 110 panic disorder patients and 110 normal control subjects using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The severity of symptoms of panic disorder was determined using the Panic Disorder Severity Scale, Acute Panic Inventory, Agoraphobic Cognition Questionnaire, and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. RESULTS: The mean plasma BDNF levels of patients with panic disorder were significantly lower compared with those of control subjects (192.50 pg/mL vs. 693.75 pg/mL). No significant association was observed between plasma BDNF levels and the severity of symptoms of panic disorder. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that BDNF may play a potential role in the pathophysiology of panic disorder.