What is BDNF Val66Met polymorphism?

What is BDNF Val66Met polymorphism?

Val66Met, a naturally occurring polymorphism in the human brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene resulting in a valine (Val) to methionine (Met) substitution at codon 66, plays an important role in neuroplasticity.

What does BDNF do?

The BDNF gene provides instructions for making a protein found in the brain and spinal cord called brain-derived neurotrophic factor. This protein promotes the survival of nerve cells (neurons) by playing a role in the growth, maturation (differentiation), and maintenance of these cells.

What is met allele?

The BDNF gene contains a common Val66Met polymorphism; the Met allele is associated with lower depolarization-induced BDNF release and differences in memory functions and brain morphology. We hypothesized that the Met allele is associated with poor recovery from subarachnoid hemorrhage.

What is COMT val val?

The patients who have the overactive enzyme are homozygous for valine form (Val/Val), which renders COMT hyper-efficient and may result in dopamine deficiency. In contrast, genotype Met/Met results in a hypo-active enzyme and causes excessive dopamine in the synaptic cleft.

Does SSRI increase BDNF?

BDNF promotes the survival and differentiation of 5-HT neurons. Conversely, administration of antidepressant selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) enhances BDNF gene expression.

What drugs increase BDNF?

Antidepressant drugs, e.g. SSRIs, increase BDNF in the hippocampus and PFC. Ketamine rapidly increases BDNF protein levels in the hippocampus. Ketamine elicits hippocampal potentiation dependent on BDNF expression. BDNF is required for the antidepressant effects of traditional antidepressant drugs and ketamine.

Does BDNF increase dopamine?

BDNF has been shown to influence the release of dopamine in the mesolimbic dopamine system.

What is Val158Met?

A common functional polymorphism (Val158Met) leads to a three- to-four-fold variation in the COMT enzyme activity, the Met form displaying lower enzymatic activity. The Val158Met polymorphism affects pain perception, and subjects with the Met/Met genotype have the most pronounced response to experimental pain.

How many people have the COMT gene?

An estimated 20-30% of Caucasians of European ancestry have a COMT gene variation which limits the body’s ability to remove catechols (a specific type of molecule that includes dopamine, norepinephrine, estrogen, etc.)

What is a Val genotype?

Which Antidepressants increase BDNF the most?

While both SSRIs and SNRIs could increase the BDNF levels after a period of antidepressant medication treatment, sertraline was superior to other three drugs (venlafaxine, paroxetine or escitalopram) in the early increase of BDNF concentrations with SMD 0.53(95% CI = 0.13–0.93; P = 0.009).