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The Met allele of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is associated with increased BDNF serum concentrations

Molecular Psychiatry volume 14, pages 120–122 (2009)Cite this article

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) hypothesis of depression postulates that a loss of BDNF function is directly involved in the pathophysiology of depression and its restoration may underlie the therapeutic efficacy of antidepressant treatments (for recent review see Groves1). The hypothesis is in line with observations that BDNF concentrations in humans are decreased in major depressed patients and healthy humans with depression-related personality traits and are increased after antidepressant treatment.2, 3

A common single nucleotide polymorphism in the human BDNF gene (c.196G>A, dbSNP: rs6265) has been identified causing an amino-acid substitution of valine to methionine at amino-acid residue 66 (Val66Met). It alters intracellular trafficking and packaging of pro-BDNF and consequently, the regulated secretion of the mature peptide.4 We tested the hypothesis if BDNF serum concentrations are associated with BDNF Val66Met genotype in 114 healthy subjects (age: 42.3±13.2 years, 53 women).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité—University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Germany

    U E Lang, R Hellweg & J Gallinat

  2. Max Delbrueck Centrum, Berlin, Germany

    T Sander

Authors
  1. U E Lang
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  2. R Hellweg
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  3. T Sander
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  4. J Gallinat
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Correspondence to U E Lang.

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Lang, U., Hellweg, R., Sander, T. et al. The Met allele of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is associated with increased BDNF serum concentrations. Mol Psychiatry 14, 120–122 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/mp.2008.80

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