Is serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor a biomarker for cognitive enhancement in schizophrenia?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a critical role in neurodevelopment and plasticity; decreased BDNF functioning may contribute to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. However, BDNF levels are not static; in animal experiments, brain BDNF increases during spatial learning, and in clinical depression, successful antidepressant treatment raises serum BDNF. We asked: would neuroplasticity-based cognitive training in schizophrenia result in increased serum BDNF?

Methods

Fifty-six schizophrenia outpatients and 16 matched healthy comparison subjects were assessed on baseline cognitive performance and serum BDNF. Schizophrenia subjects were randomly assigned to either 50 hours (10 weeks) of computerized auditory training or a computer game control condition, f

SUBMITTER: Vinogradov S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4691262 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature