Association Analysis of the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Gene Val66Met Polymorphism and Gender with Efficacy of Antidepressants in the Chinese Han Population with Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study was designed to explore the relationship between the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism and antidepressants' efficacy in the Chinese Han population with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

We recruited 206 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for GAD into the test group, and assigned 209 healthy participants to the control group. All participants were genotyped for the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism. GAD patients were treated with escitalopram or extended-release venlafaxine. We used the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) to assess the response to 8-weeks of antidepressant treatment for GAD.

RESULTS

We did not identify any significant differences in the allelic or genotype frequencies of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism between the test and control group. Furthermore, we did not detect any significant difference in the allele or genotype frequency of BDNF Val66Met between patients with different treatment responses. Finally, we did not detect any significant difference in the HAM-A score reduction rate among patients with different genotypes, gender, or treatment drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

No significant difference was found in the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism between patients with GAD and healthy controls, nor was this polymorphism significantly associated with antidepressant drug efficacy for GAD.