ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) are neurotrophic neuropeptides that play important roles in the synaptic plasticity, neuronal growth, survival and function. A possible neuroprotective role of neurotrophic factors against alcohol-induced cell damage has been suggested, and dysregulations in neurotrophic factors may be involved in the vulnerability to addiction. The aim of this study was to investigate the alterations of BDNF and GDNF serum levels in alcohol-addicted patients during alcohol withdrawal compared to healthy controls. Methods: BDNF and GDNF serum levels of 34 male inpatients diagnosed with alcohol addiction according to DSM-IV-TR were investigated during alcohol withdrawal (day 1, 7 and 14) in comparison to 32 healthy controls using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Severity of alcohol withdrawal was measured by Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA-Ar), and intensity of alcohol craving was measured by Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) during alcohol withdrawal (day 1, 7 and 14). Results: BDNF serum levels increased significantly during alcohol withdrawal (p = 0.020). They were negatively correlated to the severity of alcohol withdrawal, and the correlation was close to being statistically significant (p = 0.058). BDNF and GDNF serum levels did not differ significantly between the patient and control groups. GDNF serum levels did not change significantly during alcohol withdrawal. Conclusions: Our results may provide support for the previously hypothesized role of BDNF in the neuroadaptation during alcohol withdrawal (AU)
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