BDNF serum concentrations in first psychotic episode drug-naïve schizophrenic patients: associations with personality and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism.

AIMS: To investigate the relationship among brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) serum concentrations, BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and personality profile in drug-naïve schizophrenic patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) and healthy participants.

MAIN

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included fifty FEP patients and fifty healthy participants who served as controls. To study their personality profile the standardized Greek version of the Alternative Five-Factor Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ) was administered. Serum BDNF levels were measured and genotyping of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism was performed in patients and healthy subjects.

KEY FINDINGS: FEP patients presented lower BDNF serum concentrations (P=0.002) and higher scores in ZKPQ Neuroticism (P=0.001) and Aggression-Hostility (P=0.002) scales while lower scores in the ZKPQ Sociability scale (P<0.001) than healthy participants. Multivariate analysis revealed that the odds of being assessed with FEP were 0.4 times lower in those with higher BDNF values (P<0.001) and 1.8 times greater in those with higher Neuroticism scores (P<0.001). There were no significant differences with respect to the Val66Met polymorphism between patients and healthy participants.

SIGNIFICANCE: Reduced BDNF serum concentrations along with higher Neuroticism scores might be associated with FEP. A complex interplay between BDNF serum concentrations, personality traits, BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, and psychotic symptomatology has been arisen but further investigation is needed to better clarify the observed associations.