The change of serum and CSF BDNF level as a prognosis predictor in traumatic brain injury cases: A systematic review.

Background: Mortality predictions following traumatic brain injury (TBI) may be improved by including genetic risk in addition to traditional prognostic variables. One promising target is the gene coding for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a ubiquitous neurotrophin important for neuronal survival and neurogenesis.

Methods: A total of seven publications pertaining to BDNF in the study of traumatic head injury were included and reviewed.