Publications by authors named "Anja Dvojkovic"
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is implicated in the etiology and treatment response in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, peripheral BDNF concentrations have not been compared across different MDD stages. Bright light therapy (BLT) offers some potential in treatment-resistant depression (TRD), but its effects on BDNF levels are unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe association between BDNF C270T genetic variants and smoking in patients with mental disorders and in healthy controls.
Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry
March 2022
Article Synopsis
- A study explored the relationship between smoking and two BDNF genetic variants (Val66Met and C270T) in over 3,500 Caucasian individuals, including both healthy subjects and those with mental disorders.
- The results showed a significant association between the BDNF C270T variant and smoking, specifically highlighting that smokers were more likely to carry the T allele of this variant, while no such association was found for the Val66Met variant.
- However, this link was only strong in healthy subjects and did not correlate with daily smoking amounts, whereas in patients with alcohol dependence, the Val66Met variant was linked to smoking severity.
Rationale: Cognitive dysfunction is frequent in major depressive disorder (MDD), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved both in regulation of cognition and in therapeutic response in MDD.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine if baseline plasma BDNF might predict change in cognitive function in MDD patients treated with vortioxetine or escitalopram, and whether the alterations in BDNF levels correlate with changes in cognitive performance during treatment.
Methods: Drug-naive or drug-free patients with MDD (N=121) were sampled and evaluated at baseline and 4 weeks after treatment initiation with vortioxetine or escitalopram.
Effect of vortioxetine vs. escitalopram on plasma BDNF and platelet serotonin in depressed patients.
Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry
March 2021
Escitalopram and vortioxetine are efficacious antidepressants. They directly target serotonin (5-HT) system, but vortioxetine mechanism of action is distinct from the one of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Treatment with SSRIs decrease platelet 5-HT concentration and increase peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels.
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