Cited by 157Bipolar Disorder and TreatmentSchizophrenia research and treatmentTreatment of Major Depression

Peripheral blood brain-derived neurotrophic factor in bipolar disorder: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis

Munkholm, K, Vinberg, M, Kessing, L V·2016·Molecular Psychiatry

Abstract

Peripheral blood brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been proposed as a potential biomarker related to disease activity and neuroprogression in bipolar disorder, speculated to mirror alterations in brain expression of BDNF. The research area is rapidly evolving; however, recent investigations have yielded conflicting results with substantial variation in outcomes, highlighting the need to critically assess the state of current evidence. The aims of the study were to investigate differences in peripheral blood BDNF concentrations between bipolar disorder patients and healthy control subjects and between affective states in bipolar disorder patients, including assessment of the effect of treatment of acute episodes on BDNF levels. A systematic review of English language studies without considering publication status was conducted in PubMed (January 1950-November 2014), Embase (1974-November 2014) and PsycINFO (1806-November 2014), and 35 studies comprising a total of 3798 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The results indicated that crude peripheral blood BDNF levels may be lower in bipolar disorder patients overall (Hedges' g=-0.28, 95% CI: -0.51 to -0.04, P=0.02) and in serum of manic (g=-0.77, 95% CI: -1.36 to -0.18, P=0.01) and depressed (g=-0.87, 95% CI: -1.42 to -0.32, P=0.002) bipolar disorder patients compared with healthy control subjects. No differences in peripheral BDNF levels were observed between affective states overall. Longer illness duration was associated with higher BDNF levels in bipolar disorder patients. Relatively low study quality, substantial unexplained between-study heterogeneity, potential bias in individual studies and indications of publication bias, was observed and studies were overall underpowered. It could thus not be excluded that identified differences between groups were due to factors not related to bipolar disorder. In conclusion, limitations in the evidence base prompt tempered conclusions regarding the role of peripheral BDNF as a biomarker in bipolar disorder and substantially improving the quality of further research is warranted.

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Crossref · 10.1038/mp.2015.54

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  • Two recent meta-analyses have shown that serum and plasma levels of BDNF in BD patients during depressive and manic episodes are decreased, but no difference in BDNF levels between BD patients in an euthymic episode and healthy controls was found.

    “Two recent meta-analyses have shown that serum and plasma levels of BDNF in BD patients during depressive and manic episodes are decreased, but no difference in BDNF levels between BD patients in an euthymic episode and healthy controls was found [88, 89].”

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Authors
Munkholm, K., Vinberg, M., & Kessing, L. V.
Affiliations
University of Copenhagen (DK)
Corresponding author
Munkholm, K
Venue
Molecular Psychiatry
Published
2015-07-21
Volume
21
Issue
2
Pages
216-228
ISSN
  • 1359-4184 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-5578
OpenAlex
W1553642515
Cited by
157
References
156
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 3
FWCI
2.25
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Molecular Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Sundhed og Sygdom, Det Frie Forskningsråd
  • Lundbeckfonden (R34-2009-3696)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Bipolar Disorder and Treatment
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
Keywords
bipolar disorder, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, peripheral blood biomarkers, serum BDNF, manic state, depressive state, disease duration, neuroprogression, disease activity
MeSH terms
Affective Symptoms, Bipolar Disorder, Female, Humans, Male, Biomarkers, Case-Control Studies, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor

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