Associations between social relationship measures, serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and risk of stroke and dementia.

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION:Mechanisms underlying social determinants of stroke and dementia are unclear and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may contribute as a molecular link. METHODS:Using the Framingham Study, we examined social relationship measures as predictors of higher serum BDNF level and cumulative incidence of stroke and dementia. RESULTS:Among 3294 participants, controlling for age and sex, isolation trended with lower BDNF (odds ratio = 0.69 [0.47-1.00]). Participants with more companionship had reduced risk for stroke (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.59 [0.41-0.83]) and dementia (HR = 0.67 [0.49-0.92]). Greater emotional support was associated with higher BDNF (odds ratio = 1.27 [1.04-1.54]), reduced dementia risk (HR = 0.69 [0.51-0.94], and among smokers, reduced stroke risk (HR = 0.23 [0.1

SUBMITTER: Salinas J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5651441 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature