Study Report
Reference
| Citation | Frodl, 2007 PubMed |
| Full Info | Frodl, T., Schule, C., Schmitt, G., Born, C., Baghai, T., Zill, P., Bottlender, R., Rupprecht, R., Bondy, B., Reiser, M. et al. (2007) Association of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism with reduced hippocampal volumes in major depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry, 64, 410-416.
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Study
| Hypothesis or Background |
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) modulates hippocampal plasticity, which is believed to be altered in patients with major depression.
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| Sample Information | 120 subjects included 60 patients with major depression and 60 healthy controls |
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| Method Detail | Using a combined strategy, hippocampal and amygdala volumes were estimated on high-resolution magnetic resonance images, and genotyping was performed for the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism. |
| Method Keywords | magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); genotyping |
| Result | Patients had significantly smaller hippocampal volumes compared with controls (P = .02). Significantly smaller hippocampal volumes were observed for patients and for controls carrying the Met-BDNF allele compared with subjects homozygous for the Val-BDNF allele (P = .006). With respect to amygdala volumes, no significant differences between patients and controls and no significant main effects for the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism were observed. |
| Conclusions | These genotype-related alterations suggest that Met-BDNF allele carriers might be at risk to develop smaller hippocampal volumes and may be susceptible to major depression. This study supports findings from animal studies that the hippocampus is involved in brain development and plasticity. |
Relationships reported by
Frodl, 2007
| Component A Approved Name (Name in Paper) |
Component A Type |
Component B Approved Name (Name in Paper) |
Component B Type |
Statistical Result |
Relationship Description |
Result Category (Positive/Negative)) |
|
Hippocampus (hippocampus)
|
brain morphology and function |
BDNF (BDNF) |
gene |
P-value=0.006 |
Significantly smaller hippocampal volumes were observed for patients and for controls carrying the Met-BDNF allele compared with subjects homozygous for the Val-BDNF allele (P = .006). |
Positive
|
|
MDD
|
syndrome |
Hippocampus (hippocampus) |
brain morphology and function |
P-value = .02 |
Patients had significantly smaller hippocampal volumes compared with controls (P = .02) |
Positive
|
