Cited by 200Acute Ischemic Stroke ManagementNeurological Disease Mechanisms and TreatmentsDementia and Cognitive Impairment Research

Serum Brain–Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Levels Are Associated With Risk of Stroke and Vascular Brain Injury: Framingham Study

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Pikula, Aleksandra, Beiser, Alexa S., Chen, Tai C., Preis, Sarah R., Vorgias, Demetrios, DeCarli, Charles, Au, Rhoda, Kelly-Hayes, Margaret +4 more·2013·Stroke

Abstract

Background and Purpose—: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a major neurotrophin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have a documented role in neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and neuronal survival. In animal experiments, they impact infarct size and functional motor recovery after an ischemic brain lesion. We sought to examine the association of serum BDNF and VEGF with the risk of clinical stroke or subclinical vascular brain injury in a community-based sample. Methods—: In 3440 Framingham Study participants (mean age, 65±11 years; 56% women) who were free of stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), we related baseline BDNF and logVEGF to risk of incident stroke/TIA. In a subsample with brain MRI and with neuropsychological tests available (n=1863 and 2104, respectively; mean age, 61±9 years, 55% women, in each), we related baseline BDNF and logVEGF to log-white matter hyperintensity volume on brain MRI, and to visuospatial memory and executive function tests. Results—: During a median follow-up of 10 years, 193 participants experienced incident stroke/TIA. In multivariable analyses adjusted for age, sex, and traditional stroke risk factors, lower BDNF and higher logVEGF levels were associated with an increased risk of incident stroke/TIA (hazard ratio comparing BDNF Q1 versus Q2–Q4, 1.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.09–2.00; P =0.012 and hazard ratio/SD increase in logVEGF, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.40; P =0.012). Persons with higher BDNF levels had less log-white matter hyperintensity volume (β±SE=−0.05±0.02; P =0.025), and better visual memory (β±SE=0.18±0.07; P =0.005). Conclusions—: Lower serum BDNF and higher VEGF concentrations were associated with increased risk of incident stroke/TIA. Higher levels of BDNF were also associated with less white matter hyperintensity and better visual memory. Our findings suggest that circulating BDNF and VEGF levels modify risk of clinical and subclinical vascular brain injury.

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  1. [20]Beekman AT Deeg DJ Van Limbeek J Braam AW De Vries MZ Van Tilburg W Criterion validity of the center for epidemiologic studies depression scale (ces-d): Results from a community-based sample of older subjects in the netherlands Psychological medicine 1997 27 231 235 9122304

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Authors
Pikula, A., Beiser, A. S., Chen, T. C., Preis, S. R., Vorgias, D., DeCarli, C., Au, R., Kelly-Hayes, M., Kase, C. S., Wolf, P. A., Vasan, R. S., & Seshadri, S.
Affiliations
  • Boston University (US)
  • From the Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health, Boston, MA (A.P., A.S.B., T.C.C., S.R.P., D.V., R.A., M.K.-H., C.S.K., P.A.W., R.S.V., S.S.); Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA (A.P., A.S.B., S.R.P., C.D., R.A., M.K.-H., C.S.K., P.A.W., R.S.V., S.S.); and University of California at Davis, Sacramento (C.D.).
Venue
Stroke
Published
2013-10
Volume
44
Issue
10
Pages
2768-2775
ISSN
  • 0039-2499 (ISSN-L)
  • 1524-4628
OpenAlex
W2111149177
Cited by
200
References
47
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 51 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 6
FWCI
8.66
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Stroke (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • American Heart Association
  • National Institutes of Health (UL1TR000157, n01hc25195-41-0-1, n01hv28178-12-0-0)
  • National Institute on Aging (R01AG031287, AG031287, AG08122, AG033193, R01AG016495, R01AG033193, R01AG008122)
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (N01‐HC25195, K24HL004334, N01-HC-025195, N01-HV-028178, R01HL093029, U01HL096917)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R01NS017950)
  • National Center for Research Resources
  • National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Acute Ischemic Stroke Management
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neurological Disease Mechanisms and Treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
Keywords
brain-derived neurotrophic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, stroke risk, transient ischemic attack, white matter hyperintensities, vascular brain injury, visuospatial memory, executive function, serum biomarkers, Framingham Heart Study, angiogenesis, neurogenesis, ischemic brain injury, cognitive function, vascular risk factors, sex differences, neuroinflammation
MeSH terms
Age Factors, Aged, Brain Ischemia, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Middle Aged, Radiography, Risk Factors, Sex Factors, Incidence, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Stroke, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

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