Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor Serum Level and Severity Symptom of Bataknese Male Patients with Schizophrenia in North Sumatera, Indonesia.

Background: Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder that is multi-causative and multi-factor, generally affecting about 1% of the population. The elevation level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) offers several protections from other neurodegenerative processes that occur in schizophrenia since this deficit of neurotrophic factors can contribute to changes in brain structure and function that underlie the schizophrenia psychopathology.

Aim: To analyse the correlation between BDNF serum levels and symptom severity by using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) instrument in Bataknese male patients with schizophrenia.