Association of lower serum Brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels with larger infarct volumes in acute ischemic stroke.

Objective: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a potential role in stroke recovery, as it promotes plasticity. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between infarct volume using DWI and BDNF at admission in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods: The study population comprised consecutive patients with an AIS diagnosis who had been referred to our hospital between January 2015 and June 2016.